MAWHINEY, Rita Marie
1941 – 2022
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rita Mawhiney on Monday December 26th, 2022, at the age of 81.
Rita passed away at Temiskaming Hospital after a brief illness took her away. Rita is pre-deceased by her parents Alfred and Yvonne Fournier, her brothers John, Ernie, Ray, Len, and her sisters Cecille Olsen, Jeanne Fournier and Therese Rose.
Loving mother of Eric (Dawn), and Rick Schmidt, sister to John (Marlene), and dear aunt to close nieces Rachel, Dianna, Lee-Ann, Paulette, Joanne, Brenda and their families, as well as myriad other nephews and nieces
Rita is also survived by her grandchildren Nicholas, Carter, Samantha and Rebecca, as well as her great grandchildren Lincoln, Layla, and Roland.
Born in New Liskeard, Ontario, Rita wanted to see more of the world and left to join the Armed Forces when she was 19 and earned her accounting training while a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Portage la Prairie. She married an Air Force Pilot (Dieter Schmidt) and had 2 children while at RCAF Moose Jaw, SK. She eventually found her way back to the Temiskaming area where she raised her 2 children and worked at her brother Ernie’s business, Fournier’s Texaco, until she retired .
Rita volunteered with the bowling league for the intellectually challenged, in Haileybury Ontario.
Rita was also an active member of Haileybury Legion Branch 54 executive for many years.
She also dedicated many hours making thousands of rosaries for missionary efforts.
In following with Rita’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of life held for Rita in the spring, where all family and friends can meet to share in the memory of Rita.
Thank you to Dr. Leger Nolet, Dr. Corbeil, and the staff at Temiskaming Hospital for your utmost care and compassion. And words can never express our sincere gratitude to John and Marlene for all the years that they’ve been there for Rita, especially all the help and attention they gave Rita these last few weeks while she battled her illness.
We will miss her dearly and will always treasure our memories of Rita.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
1941 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de MAWHINEY Rita Marie 1941 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
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Décès pour la Ville:New Liskeard, Province: Ontario