Obituary of RITA ODILE MARIE HÉBERT

RITA HÉBERT

It is with great sadness that the family of Rita Hébert (nee Neveux) announces her passing on December 5, 2020 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. 

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 60 years Denis; daughters Francine (Craig) and Lise (Gary); her grandchildren Michelle, Stephanie, Laura and Ryan; her brothers Ernest (Aline) and Gilles (Simone); her sisters Béatrice (Emile) and Aline (Lévis); and her remaining sisters-in-law Hélène (Soeur Louise) and Arlette (Edmond).  Rita was predeceased by her parents Angêle (Bourgeois) and Elie Neveux.

Born on May 18, 1941 in St. Pierre-Jolys, Rita married the love of her life, Denis in 1960.  Denis was in the RCAF and together they shared many happy memories living in Trenton, ON, Cold Lake, AB (x2), and Comox, BC, plus 2 tours in Winnipeg, where they settled and retired.  During those years away, Rita made many longlasting friendships, many of whom became family to her.  Rita raised her young daughters at home then later joined the work force by working at many Base Canex stores, working her way up to manager, and retired in 1991.   

Rita's sunny disposition enabled her to make friends wherever she went; talking with ease with perfect strangers, and getting a goodbye hug wasn't uncommon - she had a megawatt smile that lit up a room, and the sweetest, most contagious laugh.  Rita dearly loved her family and friends; but her four grandchildren were the love of her life.  Her greatest joy was being there for important milestones in their life, watching them play sports, and baking cookies and her famous apple pies for them. 

Rita taught her daughters early on the importance of charity to others.  One avenue for Mom was volunteering for 29 years at Taché Centre.  A faithful Catholic, she was a valued member of her congregation.

Rita loved life's simple things:  reading, gardening, baking, travelling to BC to visit Francine and her family and trips to Victoria Beach in the summer to spend with Lise and her family on vacation.  She enjoyed long walks with Denis, working jointly on daily Winnipeg Free Press crossword puzzles with him; and she found joy in spending time with her family and friends.  

Rita's family extends a heartfelt thank you to the Palliative Care Program and Dr. Van, her family MD, who were extremely helpful and supportive throughout her illness.  To all her family and friends:  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the loving messages, cards, food, phone calls - these did not go unnoticed and were all greatly appreciated by mom and the family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Flavie Laurent Centre Construction Fund.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Heaven is a brighter place today as we know she soars with the angels.