Mrs. Cecilia das Dores Rita

Obituary

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Cecilia das Dores Baranito Rita, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on June 4, 2020 at the age of 86 years. She left us while sleeping peacefully at the Kensington Hospice in Toronto. Loving wife of Jose D’Assuncao Rita, mother to Raquel Bowes (Rita), mother-in-law to Brent Bowes, and adoring grandmother to Ryan Joseph Bowes. Born in Messejana, Baixo-Alentejo, Portugal on March 16, 1934 to Inacio and Luisa Baranito. Cecilia witnessed incredible changes to her world. Raised in a small village in Portugal she immigrated to Canada settling in the Kensington Market area. A force to reckon with, a week after working at clothier Alan Cherry’s factory on Spadina, she asked for a 10 cent raise with hand gestures. Without hesitation, Mrs. Cherry gave her a raise which was unheard of at the time. Cecilia retired from the Toronto Western Hospital where she worked for over 20 years. She learned how to speak Italian and English without the written word. Her ability to create wonderful meals and pastries without a recipe was incredible to watch.  A firm believer in education, Cecilia was a force of strength and empowerment for her daughter and grandson throughout their academic life.  She always felt a sense of fulfillment when they studied by her side – something Cecilia always longed for.  Her struggle with Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy body started 4 years ago.  Although we are grieving, and miss her terribly; we take comfort in knowing her pain has come to an end. Now in heaven, her legacy of strength, endurance, faith and her passion to learn will not be forgotten by those she left behind.  We rejoice that she is sitting at the feet of Jesus; and by the promises of her Lord and Saviour, her body has been made anew.  

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation