Death date: Feb 3, 2004
Rita Cecile Barra, 75, born January 5, 1929 in Holyoke, MA, to Arthur D. & Beatrice (Chartier) Gauthier, died in Tacoma, WA on Tuesday, February 03, 2004. Rita loved Bingo and playing cards with her many friends. She was preceded Read Obituary
Mom taught us how to laugh at ourselves, and to enjoy life.
She also taught us that life is too short and we should enjoy it to the fullest.
I love you Mom, thank you for being there for me when I needed it the most.
You will be missed.
Sue Anne (#5)##imported-begin##Sue & David Hudson##imported-end##
We are very sorry to learn of Rita's leaving this life. She is now enjoying a better life and our prayers go with her.
We considered Rita,Bob,and their delightful daughters as part of our life when they lived here in Dover,DE.over 40 years ago. We spent many happy hours together and have kept in touch over the years. Rita was our friend.##imported-begin##Charlie & Gloria Norton##imported-end##
To Rita’s Daughters:
I donÂ’t know where to begin - your mother was very special to me. IÂ’m going to miss her so very much. You are some very lucky girls. I truly admired your mother. She was always there with a smile and kind word. She was a happy person - content with her life. She didnÂ’t let any grass grow under her feet . She always said that she was “living on borrowed timeÂâ€. Maybe thatÂ’s why she lived each day to the fullest. She ENJOYED life. Always full of plans, playing bingo or cards - didnÂ’t matter whether she won or lost...even though she LOVED to win. It just meant she could play more often if sheÂ’d won.... I was with her last year when she won the $5000.00 - I donÂ’t know who was more excited, me or her. I went to the bingo hall after she died - I wanted you to have the picture they had taken when she won, but they said that they thought theyÂ’d given it to her. I hope you find it.
Everyone at the bingo hall was quite shocked to hear her passing. “Not Rita, she was the picture of health.†It was really hard driving into the parking lot and not seeing her little Kia with it’s worn flag. (Remember when she returned her new car to the dealer because of this flapping noise she kept hearing? Only to find out it was her FLAG she had on the antenna?) It was extremely hard being there without her - I kept wandering when she’d return to the table with a few pull tabs or the soup that she’d tried her best not to spill on the way back. Her purse slung over her neck.... that is, if she wasn’t having one of her “senior moments†and had remembered to take her purse with her.....People always thought she was my mom - I never heard her tell anyone that she wasn’t. It made me feel good, because I knew that SHE knew how I felt about her. I was one of the lucky ones she included in her life - she made me feel special.
IÂ’ve heard so much about EACH one of you. It was with respect and pride when we discussed you all. You could almost see her heart bursting with love when she spoke about you. I bought her a photo album to put her pictures in from her last trip.... only to be told she hadnÂ’t taken many - she was so BUSY...and of course, hadnÂ’t had time yet to develop them.... And PROUD....oh my gosh - youÂ’ve all turned out so well. But then, you came from a strong woman. Never a complaint when she was ill. There were days when IÂ’d see her favor her arm after her mastectomy, but she never complained. The surgery on her neck, cataract surgery.....and the scare of a lump appearing in her other breast. I think I worried more for her than she did. I was afraid of losing her......
And now sheÂ’s gone. My heart aches for what IÂ’ve lost. I didnÂ’t get to say goodbye.....but then, she didnÂ’t like to say goodbye....but I DO believe she knew what she meant to me - as each of YOU should know how she felt about you. I hope that her passing will remind you all that you are sisters. RitaÂ’s girls - a bond that canÂ’t be forgotten no matter how scattered around the country you are. Her legacy will live on in you. May your memories bring you strength thru these hard days..... and just remember -
She was a grand lady, someone who made a difference -
she was loved by many...
God blessed me with your momÂ’s friendship. Something I will forever cherish.
IÂ’m going to miss her sooooooooo much......
Pam Haire##imported-begin##Pamela Haire##imported-end##
To fran and family; we would have liked to have been able to attend the service tomorrow, but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.May you have some solace knowing she is in the Lord's company.I'm sure she took great pleasure in her recent cross country trip to see her kids as well as living so near to you Fran. Jeanette and I remember touring her nice apartment and seeing her with her little bird buddy, she was very happy to be living with you and Jim. You'll be in our thoughts. Dan & jeanette##imported-begin##Dan & Jeanette##imported-end##
Though I never had the opportunity to meet Rita (Mom), I have had the pleasure of knowing one of her daughters. And of being regaled with stories of Rita and as the 'Grrillas' were growing up. I truly count it a loss not to have had the chance to meet her.
Psalm 127 tells us that "Children are a gift of the Lord; Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is one whose quiver is full of them." Rita and Robert were indeed blessed. I pray that each of the 'Grrillas' will draw close to one another at this time to comfort, encourage, support and restore one another. May God bless each of you.##imported-begin##Randy Thompson##imported-end##
Esther,
We are so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Please remember you and your family are in our prayers. We are thinking of you.
Doyal & Suzanne Perry##imported-begin##Doyal & Suzanne Perry##imported-end##
Rita was a wonderful person, whose love and laughter will live on in our memories. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. May your own happy memories be a source of comfort to you now.
With deepest sympathy, McGee's##imported-begin##Karen & Jim McGee, Girls##imported-end##
We loved you Mom.##imported-begin##Fran & Jim Hooper##imported-end##
Though time may dim the pain,
The memories of love and laughter,
These will always remain.
We loved you Mom.##imported-begin##Esther Barra##imported-end##
She was a dear, sweet lady; always ready for a good laugh. She loved her family and was loved in return. She will be missed.##imported-begin##Bobbi Jones##imported-end##
