Rita Fennerty

Rita was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, to James Roberts (born in Yorkshire) and Elizabeth McHale (born in Ballina, Ireland), she enjoyed her childhood with her younger sister Bet, playing sports and spending time hiking and biking in the Yorkshire countryside. She was a scholarship student and excelled at English, history, and geography. Rita was a well-liked and well respected teacher in Keighley and London, and also enjoyed her time acting in many plays with the Amateur Dramatic Society. She married Herbert “Fen” Fennerty in 1949, and they moved shortly afterward to Lusaka, South Rhodesia (now Zambia) where Doug joined the family in 1953. Then it was on to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where Sheena and Don were born. The family moved to Victoria in 1975, then Rita and Fen spent some years overseas, in Malaysia and Greece amongst other countries. During this time Rita and Fen took sailing lessons and enjoyed sailing trips with Don in Victoria, Cowes and Greece. While living in Athens, Rita missed her family in Canada, and returned to Calgary in 1980. She spent many years volunteering with the General Hospital, working at least five days a week for the volunteer auxiliary group, earning Calgary’s Volunteer of the Year award in 1986. She moved with Sheena and family to Courtenay, BC from 1994 to 1997, where she enjoyed taking up Scottish country and line dancing again, along with many picnics and long walks by the sea, before moving back to Calgary. For the past few years she lived at Bow View Manor, where the staff treated her with great care and compassion. Sincere thanks to Jill, Menchie, Nadia, Josie, Cherie, Gerilyne, Cherie, Kayla, Jo, Dr. Shankel and Dr. Smith, and many others at BVM. You did make a difference, and your efforts were most appreciated.

Rita maintained her keen interest in life, and was happy to help others. She was unfailingly a true lady, and to the end was always concerned about other people’s welfare. She was well loved, and will be missed.

She is survived by her children Doug (Krystyna), Sheena (Paul), and Don (Cindy); her grandchildren Gavin (Kelly), Kirsten (Dan), Tryna, Shawn, Megan, Devin and Kailen; and great grandchildren Fenn and Charlie. She is also survived by John and Linda Tosney, and nephews Donald, Neil, Jeremy and Alistair Gavins.

She was predeceased by Herbert Fennerty and her sister Bet Gavins.

At Rita’s request there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held when family and friends are once again able to travel freely, most likely in the summer of 2021. If anyone so desires, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary (https://www.alzheimercalgary.ca/get-involved/donate-now).