Rita O’Brien (Guay)
Thursday, February 19th, 1925 – Sunday, January 23rd, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rita (Marie Amanda Aurelia) O’Brien (née Guay) on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, Cornwall at the age of 96 years. Rita is survived by her brothers; Paul Guay (Lise) of Cornwall and Gerald Guay (Gail) of Orleans, many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved son James (Jimmy) O’Brien, her parents Leandre Guay and Blanche Guay (née Groulx), her brothers Jean, Rheal and Ernest Guay and her sisters Gertrude, Laurette and Irene.
Rita was an active member of St. John Bosco Parish from its inception in 1944 until it’s closure in 2003 (Reader, Parish Council, Ladies of St. Anne, Parish Renewal, 25th anniversary celebrations for Msgr. Alcime Poirier, Rev. Aimee Leduc and Msgr. Rejean Lebrun. She was a proud recipient of a Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice Medal for church and community work.
Over the years Rita was involved with the Catholic Charismatic Services of Ontario, Joy of the Lord prayer group, the Cursillo Movement, a volunteer with St. Michael’s Academy Auxiliary, the Children’s Aid Society, The Hotel Dieu Hospital Auxiliary and the Family Service Bureau.
Rita will also be remembered from her 37 years at the Zeller’s Cornwall Stores. After retirement she became an avid bridge player and had many wonderful memories of her time with the members of the Cornwall Senior Citizens Bridge Club.
She was blessed with the special friendship of the late Roger Allaire, who visited her almost daily (2003-2005). Over the years, she also enjoyed visits from many friends; including Elaine and Don Smith, Theresa St. Onge, Bernadine Greffe, Bev Poirier, Jean-Noel Morin, Lise Allaire, her brothers Gerald and Paul Guay, nieces/nephews; Robert and Myrna Corley of Orleans, Elizabeth and Jim Campbell of Vermont, Msgr. Rejean Lebrun, Fr. Claude Halle, Fr. Claude Thibault and others.
As per Rita’s wishes there will be no visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 28, 2022 in St. Columban’s Church at 11 a.m. Spring interment in Notre Dame Cemetery. Due to capacity restrictions, we encourage guests to reserve a time at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca or phone 613-938-3888 to attend the Funeral. Masks and physical distancing are required at all gatherings. If desired, donations can be made in Rita’s memory to St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre or St. Columban Parish, Cornwall. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home, 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall, On (613) 938-3888. Messages of condolences may be made online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca
Thursday, February 19th, 1925 – Sunday, January 23rd, 2022
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rita (Marie Amanda Aurelia) O’Brien (née Guay) on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre, Cornwall at the age of 96 years. Rita is survived by her brothers; Paul Guay (Lise) of Cornwall and Gerald Guay (Gail) of Orleans, many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her beloved son James (Jimmy) O’Brien, her parents Leandre Guay and Blanche Guay (née Groulx), her brothers Jean, Rheal and Ernest Guay and her sisters Gertrude, Laurette and Irene.
Rita was an active member of St. John Bosco Parish from its inception in 1944 until it’s closure in 2003 (Reader, Parish Council, Ladies of St. Anne, Parish Renewal, 25th anniversary celebrations for Msgr. Alcime Poirier, Rev. Aimee Leduc and Msgr. Rejean Lebrun. She was a proud recipient of a Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice Medal for church and community work.
Over the years Rita was involved with the Catholic Charismatic Services of Ontario, Joy of the Lord prayer group, the Cursillo Movement, a volunteer with St. Michael’s Academy Auxiliary, the Children’s Aid Society, The Hotel Dieu Hospital Auxiliary and the Family Service Bureau.
Rita will also be remembered from her 37 years at the Zeller’s Cornwall Stores. After retirement she became an avid bridge player and had many wonderful memories of her time with the members of the Cornwall Senior Citizens Bridge Club.
She was blessed with the special friendship of the late Roger Allaire, who visited her almost daily (2003-2005). Over the years, she also enjoyed visits from many friends; including Elaine and Don Smith, Theresa St. Onge, Bernadine Greffe, Bev Poirier, Jean-Noel Morin, Lise Allaire, her brothers Gerald and Paul Guay, nieces/nephews; Robert and Myrna Corley of Orleans, Elizabeth and Jim Campbell of Vermont, Msgr. Rejean Lebrun, Fr. Claude Halle, Fr. Claude Thibault and others.
As per Rita’s wishes there will be no visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 28, 2022 in St. Columban’s Church at 11 a.m. Spring interment in Notre Dame Cemetery. Due to capacity restrictions, we encourage guests to reserve a time at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca or phone 613-938-3888 to attend the Funeral. Masks and physical distancing are required at all gatherings. If desired, donations can be made in Rita’s memory to St. Joseph’s Continuing Care Centre or St. Columban Parish, Cornwall. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home, 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall, On (613) 938-3888. Messages of condolences may be made online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca