August 14, 1924 – July 27, 2023
Rita Conrad Valiquette of Eganville passed away peacefully at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario on July 27, 2023.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald, on April 20, 2004.
Rita was born in Trout Creek, Ontario; the oldest child of Arthur Conrad and Cecilia Hummel. She grew up in Powassan, Ontario (Chisholm Township), received her elementary education at St. Louis de France School, in Chiswick, and her high school education at St. Mary’s Academy (Haileybury, ON). After attending North Bay Normal School, Rita taught at Glen Roberts School (Trout Creek, ON), St. John’s (Garson, ON), St. Algonquin (Sudbury, ON), Sebastopol #5, Sebastopol #4, D. N. D. (Foymount, ON) and St. James (Eganville, ON).
In July 1946, Rita married Donald Valiquette, a D. Day Veteran, whom she met on the night of his return from overseas service. After their marriage, they first lived in Schrieber, Ontario and then in Sudbury, Ontario for five years. When construction of the RC.A. 7 Station, Foymount began, they returned to the Valley and built a home in Cormac, Ontario. One year before the D. N. D base closed, they purchased the Dan Kelly farm on the outskirts of Eganville.
Following Don’s death, Rita relocated to an apartment in Eganville and sold the farm. Then she moved to Fairfields, the Eganville and District Seniors’ building that was built on a portion of their farm. For the last couple of months, Rita resided at the Rockland Manor to be close to her immediate family.
As a younger woman and despite her busy schedule, Rita served as the Secretary Treasurer of the St. Anne’s School Board, Cormac. She was a member of St. Anne’s parish council when the family moved to Eganville and she was on the St. James Parish Council for nine years. Rita also became an executive of the St. James’ School Parent-Teachers’ Association. As a member of the St. James’ CWL, she was their Recording Secretary during the terms of four Presidents. In addition, she volunteered at the Eganville Clothing Bank and the Eganville Museum for over twenty years.
Rita is survived by her children, Robert (Carole) of Orleans, and Lynne of Gatineau. Her other son, Paul (Lynn) of Brockville, passed away in March 2020. Her grandchildren are Jeremy Valiquette, Bryan (Ariane) Valiquette, Amy (Charly) Jomma, Natasha, Nicole, and Ryerson Warren. Rita is also survived by sister, Geralda Hinschberger of North Bay, and brothers/(sisters-in-law), Maurice (Yvonne) and Lloyd of Sudbury, Walter (Brenda) of Kanata, Desmond (Claudette) of New Liskeard, and Steve (Elaine) of North Bay. She is survived by in-laws, Rudolph Bessette (Louise), Garnet (Pierrette) Valiquette, and Dan Valiquette. Predeceased by her parents, her brothers; Lorne, Clarence and Mervin, her sisters; Louise and Alma, and sister/brother-in-laws; Grace (Lorne), Onide (Lloyd), Monica (Mervin), Peter Micus (Alma), Winnifred (Ernie) Donnelly, Betty (Ed) Lawrence, Mildred (Frank) Langford, Glen (Dick) Osbourne, Syl (Bill) Henderson, Allen (Hilda) Valiquette, Rev. Roy Valiquette, Geraldine Valiquette (Dan), Geraldine (Dr. Jerry) Wagar, Bill (Cathy) Valiquette, Jessie (Lew) St. Louis, and Claire Valiquette. In addition, Rita has many surviving nieces and nephews. Sadly, some have passed.
The family would like to thank the management and staff at Fairfields and Rockland Manor for taking such loving care of our mom.
Professional arrangements entrusted to Zohr Family Funeral Home, Eganville. Visitation was held on Friday, August 4th from 2 -4 pm and 6 -8 pm. A funeral service was held on Saturday, August 5th at 11 am at St. James the Less Catholic Church. Burial St. James Cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to St. James the Less Catholic Church or the Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
Tributes, condolences and donations may be made online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com
