Rita Reine (St Germain) Smith

Rita Reine Smith

It is with great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Rita Smith at Portage General Hospital on Thursday August 22, 2019. Rita was born July 28,1923 daughter of Alexandre and Denise St. Germain.  She was born and raised in the RM of St Francois Xavier until the age is 12 when the family moved to Bay St Paul East. There they operated a garage and store. After completing her education Rita stayed home to look after the store (Rita’s Confectionary). In 1945 she married Walter Smith of Poplar Point MB where they resided until 1985. Due to Walter’s health, they moved to Portage la Prairie.  Rita belonged to St John’s Catholic Church (later the Good Shepherd Parish) and the Catholic Women’s League of which she was a lifelong member.  During the summers Rita travelled with Walter’s work with the Department of Highways. Rita enjoyed seeing the countryside during their travels around Manitoba. She enjoyed quilting with the CWL, dancing, reading and doing clippings from papers and magazines. Her greatest enjoyment centred on her children and family.  

Predeceased by her parents, Alex and Denise St. Germain, her brothers Leonid (died in infancy) and Marcel of Calgary (Rose), sisters Josephine Larkin (Paul), Juliette Beaudin of Trenton ON, Alice Tremblay of Montreal; and brothers-in-law Howard Liddicoat, Leo Carpenter and Bill Hunter.

She leaves to mourn her passing son Gordon (Margaret) of Portage, son Dean (Jeannine) of Winnipeg; grandchildren Stacey (Matt), Ryan of Toronto, and William; great grandchildren Rhys and Zoe; sisters Eva Liddicoat, Therese Carpenter-Hunter, Margaret-Rose Risbey(Arnold) of Winnipeg and Fernand Tremblay of Montreal; numerous nephews and nieces.

     Prayers will be held on Wednesday, August 28th, 2019 at 7:00 p.m at the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, 1125 Sask. Ave. E., Portage la Prairie.  Funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 29th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church.  Interment to follow lunch at the Poplar Point Cemetery, Poplar Point, MB.

     In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Poplar Point Cemetery, Box 172, Poplar Point, MB   R0H 0Z0.  A longer obituary to follow.

Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com.

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