RITA SIMONS of Lethbridge, AB, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Gerardus & Hendrika Hurkens, her sisters, Frances, Gonda, Marie & Gerdie, her brothers, Gary & Cor, several nieces, nephews and her best friend Rose.
She is survived by her children; Diane Simons, Matthew Simons, Rita (Lubomir) Vitanov & Mark (Tracy) Simons, 2 chosen sons, Ashley Hairy Bull and Marcel Duguay; her grandchildren, Russ ( Jordana)| Gallant, Jeni (Travis) Foisy, Alexander & Jonathan Simons, Daniel (Kayla) Puurveen, Jessica (Judd) Smith, Amy (Karl) Furtner, Marcel (Courtney) Puurveen, Justine Vitanov, Mariah, Emily & Aiden Simons; her great-grandchildren; Charlotte & Isabelle Gallant, Lauren, Christian, Hannah, Elisha & Jonathan Smith, Bradley & Allison Foisy & Mackenzie Puurveen. She is also survived by her brothers & sisters, Hank (Carole) Hurkens, Toni (Adolf) Pries, Nellie (Steve) Saler, Lia (Albert) Fried & Joey Froese and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rita loved music (her favorite singer was Danny O'Donnell) & dancing and some of her most cherished times were with her square dancing club. She took great pride in her ability as a square dancer being able to dance all the different parts & getting her Flying Eights diploma was the icing on her cake. Rita also loved nothing more than a good game of cards & spent many hours with her ladies card clubs and teaching her kids & grandkids to play canasta, joker & 1500. But most of all Rita loved hanging out with her family. Spending time with her kids & grandkids was the highlight of life for her and you could always hear the pride in her voice when talking about them.
A Memorial Service/Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 - Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Friday, January 22nd, 2016 at 6:30 P.M., with Maureen Condon-Horon officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. BASILS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 - 13th Street North, Lethbridge, on Saturday, January 23rd at 10:00 A.M., with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant.
Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
In honor of Rita, please wear something red, cause it was her favorite color.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Michael's Foundation, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 - 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5.