Rita Goderis

Rita Alice Goderis

(nee Buydens)

Peacefully, in the arms of her granddaughter Jaimee, Rita left us on the morning of May 23, 2012 at Lorne Memorial Hospital in Swan Lake at the age of 61 years young.

She was an inspiration to all whose lives she touched, never letting cancer diminish the concern and interest she had in others, nor her fun-loving personality and sense of humour.

Rita will be lovingly missed by her husband, Eddie, her daughter, Lorianne and son-in-law, Dwayne and grandchildren Jaimee, Ryder and Dawson; her sister Velma (Edgar) Desrochers, sisters in law Lorette (Pete) Deschouwer, Louise Goderis, Diane (Wayne) VanCauwenberghe, Doreen (Livio) Landry and brothers in law Laurent (Germaine) Goderis and Marcel Cleutinx. She will be forever remembered by a multitude of nieces and nephews as well as many friends whose lives she touched.

She was a shining example of living life to the fullest and always making people the priority.  Rita was born on April 15 ^th , 1951. She graduated high school and moved to Winnipeg to work at Investors Group. Rita had always dreamed of becoming a nurse but life took her down a different path.  She married her high school sweet heart Eddie and had 2 children, Darren and Lorianne. They were both born in Winnipeg.  Eddie decided that moving back to the country, getting jobs and building a home would be their next step. Rita with her easygoing nature quit the job she loved and followed. Their young family moved in with Rita’s parents while their home was being built,  not something many new moms would have agreed to. Rita provided childcare for many families out of her home and was eventually approached about taking a job at Van’s Lumber and remained there until forced into a disability leave in 2008.  She was an amazing sales clerk, always working hard cleaning and pleasing the public. There wasn’t a salesman or farmer for miles who didn’t brag about her. Many gophers sent into Van’s not knowing what they needed were told talk to Rita and she’ll know.

In 1998 she became a Gramma for the first time. This put a sparkle in her eyes.  Always devoted, Rita was close to all 3 of her grandchildren and was an active participant in their lives, showing them all how to make apple pies and chokecherry jam.  In 2004 she was forced to watch Ryder battle cancer.  She showed her strong spirit and did everything she could to help out never showing the tears that tore away at her heart. Rita’s strength and faith were tested in 2007 when she and Eddie lost their son Darren. The rains came down hard for the next 5 years but never did she loose her focus. Take what comes, fight hard and keep going, she took what came, fought hard, and kept going. That is what she did.  Rita fought a long and hard battle with cancer that always seemed to be just one step ahead of her.  Never did she complain or let it cloud her focus.  She spent countless hours on her laptop becoming informed and trying everything in her power to beat it.  She was so not ready to go, so not done seeing all she wanted to see.

Mom, I just know you saw yourself not being able to be at Jaimee’s graduation in your beautiful dress, something you so badly wanted to do so you decided to try and help us get through by giving us some time to walk without you before the big day. We will feel you in the wind on our face and see you in the sun in our eyes that day. Mom, you are the winner in our books. We love you so much and will miss you every minute.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s memory may be sent to: Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Avenue East, Portage La Prairie, MB, R1N 0K8 or Palliative Care, c/o Lorne Memorial Hospital, Swan Lake, MB R0G 2SO.

Funeral Services will be held in the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, in Swan Lake, MB on Saturday, May 26, 2012. Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. with Father Armand Le Gal officiating. Interment in the Swan Lake Parish Cemetery.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca