Obituary of REITA RUTH ELDERS

REITA RUTH ELDERS (nee KENNEDY) Reita, age 90, passed away peacefully at the Victoria Hospital, Winnipeg, on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from heart and pulmonary issues. Born October 9, 1924 in Stockton, Manitoba to George and Margaret Kennedy, she attended school in rural Manitoba prior to serving in the Woman’s Army Corps. On April 15, 1947 she married Lloyd Douglas Elders and became a life-long resident of Winnipeg. They enjoyed travel and nothing gave them more pleasure than spending time with their children. Reita is especially remembered for her uncompromising love for her family. She was a passionate sports fan. She enjoyed attending Winnipeg Jets hockey and the Blue Bombers football games over many years and followed the Toronto Blue Jays through their ups and downs. This passion has been passed through family generations. She will long be remembered for her fun and spirit shown during family card games, focused table tennis matches, her love of animals and the many feasts she prepared for family gatherings. Preceded in death by her husband Lloyd in 2004, Reita was the last of her large Kennedy family, having been predeceased by brothers and sisters - Melville, Grace, Ted, Marjorie, Joe, Vimy and her twin, Harold. She is survived by five children: Harold (wife Sandy and daughter Jesse), Ontario; Ruth (husband Terry Christian and her sons Lloyd and Rob Nicholson), Nova Scotia; Douglas (sons Jason and Brooks and daughter Lana Hill), British Columbia; James (daughters Christina Chaikowsky and Stephanie and son Ryan), Winnipeg; and Debora (husband Scott Medhurst and son Matthew), Ontario. Six great-grandchildren: Dex, Emma, Rita-Ann, Gunner, Ashe and Hunter will long miss their great gramma Elders. The family would like to thank Jim, Christina and Ryan for ensuring mom was never alone in her final stage of life. Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kevin Saunders, Home Health Care, and the staff and residents at Sterling House for their care and kindness. As requested by Reita, cremation was completed by Cropo Funeral Chapel. Interment will be held at Brookside Cemetery on Monday, May 25, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. followed by a private family celebration of life. If friends so desire, donations may be made to a charity of choice.