Rita Gingras

Rita passed away on Tuesday January 20, 2015.

She is survived by her 2 sons; Richard of Winston Salem, NC and Roger of Palm Harbor.

Rita has 4 daughters; Georgia Nolati of Clearwater, Roberta (Bobi) Murray of Chanhassen Min., Angela (Angel) Gingras of Travers City Mi. and Patricia McCune of Blairsville, Ga.

She also has 16 Grandchildren, 14 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandchild. Rita also has a sister Jeanne Wight in Anderson, SC.  

Friends will gather on Saturday January 31 at the Funeral Home from 9:00 untill just before 11:00 AM. We will then cross the street to St. Cecelia's for a mass of the resurection.

After mass those who can will gather at Sylvan Abbey Cemetery for the committal service.

Sylvan Abbey is located at 2853 Sunset Point Rd.  which is just East of US 19.

Rita Theresa Gingras was born Rita Pauline Rodrigue on March 15, 1921 in St Everest, Quebec, Canada.  Her parents were Helen and Gedeon Rodrigue.  Helen and Gedeon came to the United States from Canada and settled their young family in Connecticut.  Rita had two older brothers, Gerard and Leo; two younger sisters, Gertrude & Jeanne and two younger brother’s Herve & Calix.  Jeanne is the only surviving sibling.

Rita chose the name “Theresa” when she was confirmed in the Catholic Church (year?).  in 1939, after graduating high school, she attended the Hartford Academy of Hairdressing where she met a young classmate named George Gingras.  She said it was love at first site for her. 

George enlisted in the Army National Guard and after the attack on Pearl Harbor was called to active duty. George returned home on leave in January 1942 and they became engaged.  When George returned home on leave in November they were married on November 14, 1942, at St Justin Catholic Church, Hartford, CT.  The Army became their life and they traveled the world together.

Through time, Rita and George had 6 children, Richard, Georgia, Roger, Bobi, Patti and Angel, (16) grandchildren,  (18) great-grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.  One of her great grandchildren preceded her in death.

While George was in Korea in 1959, Rita packed up her 5 children and drove from California to Florida where her parents had settled. Rita’s parents were parishioners of St. Cecelia’s and lived 2 houses from this church.  Rita purchased the house she spent the rest of her years in on December 31, 1959.  George retired from the military in August of 1961 after the birth of their last child.  George then went on to work for Honeywell and the US Postal Service. They loved to travel attending Postal Conventions around the state of Florida. 

Once George retired from the Postal Service, They enjoyed traveling with their youngest two children’s competitive roller skating club. They also enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean with two of his sister’s. George and Rita’s final cruise together was to Alaska in 1988 with dear friends. 

In the 70’s Rita and George joined the St Cecelia’s Church Choir, which was a great joy they shared. When George passed in April of 1989 the choir was a tremendous source of comfort to Rita.  Rita continued to participate as a Choir member for many years and was the music librarian for a period of time. One of Rita’s most memorable moments with the choir was a trip to Rome where they sang for Pope John Paul II and had several concerts along their journey to Milan, Assisi and Florence.

From the time she was a little girl, Rita loved music. With her ear for music, she enjoyed playing the piano, organ and accordion, all without the use of sheet music.  Music filled her heart and soul and fueled her spirit. if there was a keyboard around, rita was sure to get you singing as she played her repertoire of tunes. 

Rita loved family, traditions, entertaining, cooking, reading and gardening.  One of her favorite traditions was having Christmas Eve at her home where family and friends would gather. Rita would play the organ, as everyone would sing Christmas carols including the annual singing of the “Twelve days of Christmas”.

When she was no longer able to care for herself, Rita’s wish was to stay in her home until her passing.  We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to those, outside of family members, who cared for her so lovingly allowing her wish to be fulfilled.  Rita and family are eternally grateful to Teresa Broyles, Dessa Smith and Kathi Hejl.

Rita peacefully passed away at home on January 20^th 2015 at the age of 93 years, 10 months and 6 days.

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