Obituary of Rita Marie Smith

SMITH (Guertin), Rita Marie – After a lengthy illness, Rita died at Marshall Gowland Manor, Sarnia (formerly of Ottawa) on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the age of 84. Daughter of the late George & Grace Guertin. Mother of Sean Smith, Sarnia and grandmother of Ashley Smith, Sarnia. Rita will be sadly missed by brothers Reynolds (Denise) Guertin, Ottawa, George (Carol) Guertin, Ottawa, Wilfred (Bernadette) Guertin, Guelph, and by sisters Jainnine Wagner, Spokane, Washington, Dolores Guertin, Ottawa and Prudence (Robert) England, Ottawa. Predeceased by husband Maurice and by devoted companion Alex Graham. Also predeceased by brothers Joseph and Oscar Guertin. A special thanks to Marie Tillson of Sarnia who has been her dearest friend before and during her long illness. The family also wishes to thank the Rose Unit staff at Marshall Gowland Manor for their kindness. Rita served with the R.C.A.F. during W.W.II and was stationed in Centralia. She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 62 and the 403 Wing. She also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Visitation will be held at the McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 431 Christina St. N., Sarnia on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Br. 62 will conduct a memorial service at the funeral home Wednesday evening at 6:45. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Higgins at Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Interment National Military Cemetery of Canada at Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish may send memorial donations to Marshall Gowland Manor, 749 Devine St., Sarnia, N7T 1X3 or to the charity of your choice. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.mckenzieblundy.com A tree will be planted in memory of Rita Smith in the McKenzie & Blundy Memorial Forest. Dedication service Sunday, September 19th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.