Margaret (Rita) Davidson McDowell

Rita is survived by her four children: Audrey, Gordon (Janet), Linda (John Laic) and Karen (Kenn Strass); along with seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sisters: Marion Awty, Emma Skura (Nick) and Francis Birch (Tony) and sisters-in-law Elda McDowell and Betty Tait and brother-in-law Bill Barclay.

Predeceased by her husband Lloyd McDowell; sisters: Anne Smith, Helen McDowell, Janet Gall, Georgina Barclay, Ena; brothers John and Alex Tait; grandson Cody Strass; numerous sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Margaret was born in Gowkshill, Gorebridge, Midlothian, Scotland on December 9, 1930. She was from a family of nine girls and two boys. Rita came to Canada in 1953 to visit her sister who had immigrated earlier. Mum planned on staying only six months, however she met the love of her life and married in 1954. They farmed in southern Saskatchewan near the small community of Expanse where they had four children. The family moved to Regina in September 1965.

Her husband Lloyd passed away as a young man December 16, 1972. After Lloydʼs death Rita found a secretarial position and without any assistance from government, raised her four children. During this difficult time Rita had incredible emotional support from her extended family from home and abroad. We are forever grateful for this continued support throughout our lives.

Mum was a talented individual with interests in arts, cooking and gardening. She loved to draw and was a talented seamstress, sewing for herself as well as her children. As an avid and skilled knitter she made many coveted sweaters, scarves and mittens with intricate patterns. Each piece was made with love and beautifully crafted. She loved and could even play, the bagpipes. Though each of us share the passion very few can play. Rita took pride in her beautiful flower and vegetable garden. To this day, we all find inspiration in Mumʼs talents and interests in cooking, arts and crafts and gardening.

Rita had her small group of friends, but her greatest passion was cultivating strong family bonds. She maintained good relationships with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren equally. Mum kept in touch with family in Scotland and shared many stories of her homeland, returning for family visits when possible, but certainly not as often as she would have liked.

Our mother never completely lost her Scottish accent and it will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. She carried herself with grace and dignity throughout her life and in true Scottish fashion, loved her tea!

A graveside celebration of life for Rita will be held in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.