RITA S. A. SNIDER (MITCHOSKY)

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RITA S. A. SNIDER (nee MITCHOSKY) Rita Shirley Anne Snider of Elma, MB, aged 58 years, beloved wife of Kenneth Wayne Snider, passed away suddenly on January 21, 2000. Of Eastern European heritage, Rita was born to John and Kay Mitchosky (nee Slobodzian) on November 16, 1941, one hour after her twin brother Roger, at MacKenzie Island on Red Lake in Northwestern Ontario. She was a wonderful second birthday present for her brother "Bobby" and a gem for her Uncle "Stevie", who sadly went to war and never returned to see his little treasure grow to become a much admired, respected and successful lady. It was an auspicious beginning for Rita. She grew to become competent in all manner of tasks and activities she took on and faced lifes challenges with resolve. Rita attended Norquay and Victory Elementary Schools and Edmund Partridge Junior High in Winnipeg. After her graduation from West Kildonan Collegiate, she entered Manitoba Telephone System as a typist. Her career of 35 years with M.T.S. was always upward. When she retired in 1994, Rita held a position of responsibility having earned the title Engineering Associate, Business Network Design, Business Communications Engineering. Rita and her husband Ken were married in Winnipeg in 1964 and that was the beginning of an inseparable relationship in which they shared many activities of common interest. Rita, herself, was an accomplished outdoors person. She enjoyed such activities as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, golfing and fishing. Whether it be strenuous sport or leisurely bird-watching, Rita was undaunted in pursuing what life had to offer. She was an avid golfer with a low handicap and with her husband Ken, one time members of the Niakwa Golf and Country Club. She and Ken golfed at many of the golf courses in and around Winnipeg and as far away as Palm Springs, California. Ritas determination to enjoy new experiences began early in her adult life. She enjoyed travelling and seeing new places and making new friends. With her first paycheck at M.T.S., she began to save for her first vacation. She had the distinction of being the first in the family to fly in the then new jet airplane, for a one week holiday in New York City. Since then, she and Ken have travelled from coast to coast in Canada, in many parts of the U.S.A. and in Mexico. One of her most recent trips was a Caribbean Sea Cruise. Active as she was, Rita was best known for her love of people, her generosity, her delicious cooking, her hospitality and her eagerness to lend a helping hand. She loved puttering in the yard and with her flowers and being in touch with nature. Ritas love for children was evident in the way she remembered those around her on special occasions, and always dear to her heart were her dogs that she had as pets over the years. Rita acquired lasting friendships with her kind, caring, sharing and respectful nature. She was to a great many people - either a friend, a good friend, a best friend, like a sister, like a mother - never anything less. Rita will be ever lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her husband Ken, her father-in-law John, her mother Kay, her brother Bob and his wife Lorraine (who in Ritas words was the sister she never had), her brother Roger, her nephews, Jason (Alyson) and David, her aunts and uncles, cousins, and relatives, and her many friends. It was Ritas wish to be cremated, followed by a private family service. Interment will be held privately at a later date. The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation for all the heartfelt expressions of sympathy they received. Relatives and friends are invited to share with all, their fond and anecdotal memories of Rita at an informal gathering in celebration of Ritas life on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, HENDERSON HIGHWAY, BRANCH 215, 3600 DEVRIES, EAST ST. PAUL. If friends desire, donations in Ritas memory may be made to a charity of their choice. Lord, Make me an instrument of your Peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. Oh Living Master, Grant that I many not so much Seek to be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is by giving, that we receive; It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned; And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal Life.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27, 2000