Rita Joan Hay

Rita is lovingly remembered by her Daughter’s, Sandy and Liz, Granddaughter’s Desirée (and spouse Matt), and Jennifer Hillairet. Also, her dear Great Grandsons, Casey and Sandy. Mom will also be sadly missed by her sister Phyllis, Brother Jim and her many nieces and nephews. Her dear friends Ginger, Dotty and Colleen remember her with love – they were always part of her family and brought her such joy. She will also be missed by her caregiver Sol who provided her with companionship and friendship 2-3 times a week during the last three years. Rita is predeceased by her son, Kris who passed away January 28th, 2010 in White Rock, B.C.

Born June 18th, 1930 in Vancouver, B.C. Rita had 5 children, Sandy, Kris, and Liz, as well as Step sons Dennis and Brian Hay. Growing up she had 1 older sister Phyllis and 1 younger brother Jim. When Mom and her sister were young they would take the train to White Rock-just when the phonograph was invented…and that was when they invented the “White Rock Sandwich”. Mom loved White Rock and the sun for the rest of her life—she was a “Sun Baby”. She was a strong, intelligent, trusting woman who was still naïve at times. She loved her family, her friends and her animals. The three most important animals in her life were her dogs—Teddy during her younger years then Goldie and Rocky in her later years. She cherished Goldie and Rocky and her love was returned ten fold.

Rita had Asthma as a child and was limited to what she was supposed to do but that obviously did not stop her …she was great on roller skates and could do a lot of the things that figure skaters do on ice. Baseball…at 16 she had a great arm and was a pitcher for a women’s team that played in a professional ball park. Pianist….she had a real ear for music and learned to play by ear at a young age. She also had a beautiful voice and sang for a band for a while and actually made a record. When I was younger I always remember thinking how beautiful she --- like a movie star.

Married in 1950 in Calgary to Leif Moe who was in the Army—their honeymoon included a day at Bowness Park, a hitchhiking trip across Canada and then hitchhiking in Norway. The Army stationed us in Bonn Germany for 2 years which was very difficult for Mom being so far from family however she was a big hit with the Mayor and other citizens of the town. After returning to BC Mom worked as a secretary to a Commander at the Dockyards in Victoria where she met her second husband George Hay. Because of her intelligence and office skills she later worked as a court reporter and then as an executive secretary for various employers until she retired.

In 1992 Mom went on trip to Ireland with her good friend, Ginger to visit Ginger’s family. This was one of the highlights of her life and she kept in contact with some of the people she had met on this trip for the rest of her life.

In 2010 her Son Kris passed away and this was very hard and took a great toll on her. Because of her declining health it was decided that in her best interests that she should move to Calgary to live with her Daughter Sandy where she would be close to family and have the opportunity to get to know her Great grandson’s, Casey and Sandy----at the same time they came to know and love their “Nanny. There were further medical issues that came up over the next four years and her mobility became more compromised----the heart wanted to do more than the body was able, she tired very quickly. Although Mom always wished that she could have stayed in BC and felt that she was a burden at times I hope and pray she knows just how much she is loved and missed.

We held a very intimate Celebration of Life on March 28th, 20l4 at 3:00 in Calgary. In attendance were family members Sandy, Desirée, Casey, Sandy, Matt and Niece Kathy. Friends of the family, Brenda, Bev, Scott, Sandy, Candie, Jemie, and Alexis.

WE LOVE YOU ----------- “to the moon and back – again and again ………”

We know you are warm and safe …….with Kris and with God.

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Four Candles for You

The first candle represents our grief.

The pain of losing you is intense.

It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

The second candle represents our courage.

To confront our sorrow, to comfort each other,

To change our lives.

The third candle we light in your memory.

For the times we laughed. the times we cried,

And the times we were angry with each other.

The silly things you did,

The caring and joy you gave us.

This fourth candle we light for our love.

We light this candle so that your light will always shine on this

Day of remembrance with our Family and Friends.

We cherish the special place in our hearts

That will always be reserved for you.

We thank you for the gift that your

Life brought to each of us.

We Love You

We Remember You

We Celebrate You.