ROBERTA EVANGELINE TRITES

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ROBERTA EVANGELINE TRITES 1924 2016 We lost our dear Mum, grandmother, sister and friend Roberta, on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at the age of 91. Roberta was predeceased by her husband Claude Trites; her parents, Evangeline and James Munro; and her older brother George, who died in a German bombing raid during the War. Mourning her absence are her daughters, Jill (with Rob Hooper, Jacob and Claudia Pettigrew), Janet (with Erin and Rachel Blaine) and Kate (with Neil Craton, Abby and Sam); as well as her siblings, Margaret Bennett, John and Barbara Munro; Kay and Cam MacIntosh; and nieces and nephews. Roberta was born in Prince George, British Columbia, and lived most of her childhood in Strome, Alberta, where she finished her education. Following a business course in Calgary, she moved to Vancouver and was employed with Bell Telephone Co. for several years until she met her great love, Claude Trites. They were married in 1956 and spent nine happy years in Edmonton where their three girls were born. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1965, and settled their home there among the many dear friends they made over the years. Roberta and Claude found a welcoming church home in Bethesda Church and served there in assorted capacities for 50 years. Roberta's heart lay in the worship and service of her saviour, Jesus Christ. She found joy in the study of the Bible and in Christian work, and she continued to grow in her faith up until her 92nd year. Like many women of her generation, Roberta's life can't be summed up by a single career achievement. Her life's work encompassed a host of roles, most of which reflected her servant's heart and her devotion to the care and support of others. Motherhood was her first priority, and until her daughters grew to adulthood, Mum's life revolved around nurturing, teaching, and supporting their development. She was closely tied to the life of her Bethesda family, and was constantly involved in the planning and execution of church activities and fellowship functions. Roberta served on the Board of the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for many years. She worked for decades in Bethesda's AWANA program of children's outreach. She befriended and assisted new Canadians in her community. She was keenly missions-minded and generously supported the work of both local and overseas ministries. Bert's friends knew her to be utterly dependable in her concern for their well-being and her interest in their lives; she was the epitome of the true and constant friend. In the last years of Claude's life as his health deteriorated, she devoted herself entirely to her husband's care, demonstrating a selflessness and faithfulness one seldom sees. Her daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren knew her great love for them and her joy in sharing the challenges, victories and daily happenings of their lives. Roberta had a playful, exuberant nature that drew people to her. She loved to laugh. An artist too, Mum had a natural eye for the beauty in life, and a gift for making a room or a table or a garden lovely; hers was a simple elegance of style. Principled and disciplined, Mum expected the best of herself and of those around her. She could be counted on to put her duties ahead of her self-interests in every case. She was modest and uncomplaining, generous and faithful, kind and good, to the end. We say farewell to Mum, for a little while. We are so thankful for her legacy, so richly blessed by her example of the life well-lived. She will be deeply missed. Roberta's memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 18 at Thomson "In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Boulevard, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mum's memory may be made to Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2016