November 28, 1932 - June 17, 2019
Rita DeKuysscher, age 86, passed away in the early hours of June 17th in Grand Forks, BC with her loving husband of 67 years, Robert DeKuysscher, by her side.
Born in St. John's Nfld to Gertrude and Llewelyn Mercer, Rita was the eldest of Gert and Lou's six children (Rita, Lorraine (Laul), Fred, Paul, Ken and Deb).
In 1951, Rita joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where she worked in supply and safety (packing parachutes too). It was in the RCAF that she met her irresistibly handsome future husband, Robert, and within 5 months of meeting (and after Rita broke off a previous engagement) the two were married on February 8, 1952. A great celebration was planned by their comrades on the base (including their chapel departure via the base's thriftily decorated bus) however the celebrations were not to be, King George VI had passed away two days before their nuptials and the entire RCAF was in mourning. The wedding went ahead, with black armbands worn by all.
In the following years, Robert and Rita moved from coast to coast to coast and would welcome seven beautiful children: Roberta, Randy, Rod, Rick, Rhonda-Lee, Roxanne and Ryan. From Rita and Robert the family has now multiplied to 48 children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.
Rita was known for her unwavering generosity, her love of knitting for everyone and was an extremely devoted hockey fan.
The family would like to acknowledge and send their heart-felt thanks to the staff of the Silver Kettle in Grand Forks who took such loving care of her during her time with them and especially for the kind and gentle care of all of us there during her passing. We truly can't thank you enough.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an animal shelter of your choice or the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
"For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains."