elevated Ut4Q2 April 16, 1938 – April 4, 2022

elevated Ut4Q2 Funeral Mass
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Click here to view the mass.

elevated Ut4Q2 Chapel of St. Joseph – Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6

elevated Ut4Q2 Reception
Following the mass the Healy family would like to invite everyone for a small luncheon which will take place in Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home.

elevated Ut4Q2 Life Story

elevated Ut4Q2 On April 4, 2022, Rita passed away peacefully at Houses of Providence with her family by her side. A tiny dynamo with a self-proclaimed “big mouth” and even bigger heart, she lived life to the fullest on her own terms and with no regrets. She touched the lives of more people than she will ever know, and she will be greatly missed.

elevated Ut4Q2 Born in Strathroy, Ontario to Wilfred and Malvina Healy, Rita was a member of a large and loving family. She was predeceased by her siblings Mary Gillen, Anna Schier, and Tom, Jack, Jim, Ed, and Maurice Healy, and is lovingly remembered by her sisters Joan (the late Frank) Weber and Helen (Bryan) Flanagan.

elevated Ut4Q2 Although Rita did not have any children of her own, she was like a second mother to her many nieces and nephews, and she also loved spending time at family gatherings with her great-nieces and great-nephews. Her most prized possessions were her photos of the “kids.” She was always available to lend an ear, provide advice, treat you to dinner, babysit, or care for someone who was ill. Kathy and Shawn will be forever grateful for the loving role she played in Erin and Ian’s lives.

elevated Ut4Q2 Rita “loved every minute” of her career as a nurse and treasured the lifelong friendships she made at work and at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. After working in Montreal, and at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, she found her true home at St. Michael’s Hospital where she provided devoted care to her patients for more than 20 years. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to run into a former patient or patient’s family member and settle in for a good long chat.

elevated Ut4Q2 When she wasn’t working or spending time with her family, Rita loved to travel. She was also a voracious reader, and passionate Blue Jays fan.

elevated Ut4Q2 For the past three years, Rita lived at Houses of Providence where she was known for her feistiness and great sense of humour. Her family would like to thank the HOP staff for their compassionate care.

elevated Ut4Q2 Rita always considered St. Michael’s Hospital to be “the best place in the world to work.” A donation to St. Michael’s Foundation in Rita’s memory would be greatly appreciated by her family. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at the Chapel of St. Joseph at Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home, 211 Langstaff Rd. E., Thornhill on Saturday, April 23rd at 10:30 a.m.

elevated Ut4Q2 Click here to donate.