Obituary of (Rita) Florence Marguerite Gillespie
September 25, 1928 – November 7, 2019
Rita Gillespie passed away peacefully at her Prairie Lake apartment on November 7th 2019 at the age of 91 years.
Rita was born September 25, 1928 in Cranbrook, British Columbia, to Florence and Joe Desrosiers. She grew up on the family’s ranch near Jaffray, B.C. As a child of the Great Depression in a family of 13, Rita learned the value of a dollar and hard work from a young age; values she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Loyalty, kindness to others, and not being wasteful, were gifts she passed down to those whose lives she touched.
In her early twenties Rita moved to Lethbridge where she attended college and met her future husband, Charlie Gillespie. Charlie and Rita were married in Cranbrook on May 17, 1952 and spent the next 66 years together. Shortly after they married the couple moved to Charlie’s hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta where they raised their four children and lived the remainder of their lives.
Rita was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. She always had time, a kind word, and a piece of homemade dessert for anyone that stopped in for a visit. Rita was fiercely loyal to all those she loved, including her dog Hercules. Although her home was in Grande Prairie, Rita continued to love British Columbia and spent time visiting her BC relatives as recently as this past summer.
Rita is survived by her four children: Bruce (Suzanne), Judy (Troy Tomchuck), Earl, and Alexa (Denis Rochette); grandchildren Jesse Dirom (Jessica), Kristin Dirom (Darren Wedge), Traci Dirom (Richard Howe), Myles Gillespie (Aarin), Calin Gillespie, Paige Rochette and Josie Rochette; great-grandsons Ashton Kennedy and Rylen Dirom ; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Charlie, brothers Frank, Roden, John, George, and Ernie; sisters Florence, Marie, Jo, Jean, and Betty.
A Celebration of Rita’s life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on November 16, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 10407 100 Street Grande Prairie. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society, 710009 RR 55, Grande Prairie, AB T8W 5A7or Trinity Lutheran Church.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780 830 7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
