Rita Margaret Smith (nee Benjaminson)

Obituary

Passed on

On January 7th, 2025 surrounded by love, Rita Smith passed away.

Left to mourn her passing is her husband of 55 years, John Smith, her children Shane and Gail Smith, Braxton and Robin Smith, Morgan Smith and Jonathan Hoeppner, Carol and Johnny Vermeer, grandchildren Brooke (James), Zachary (Gabi), Deaken, Hyde, Mavis and Miriam. Her siblings Wade and Sharon Benjaminson, Patricia Benjaminson and David Murray, Jeanne Benjaminson and Marlon Persaud, Sister- in- law Cheryle (Mike), lifelong friends Jan and Barry Bremner, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews and many close friends.

Rita was born In Winnipeg in 1947, the middle child of loving parents Fred and Mavis Benjaminson, with two older brothers and two younger sisters.  They were a very a close family and remained so all her life.  Family was always the most important thing to Rita, which of course included pets.  She loved riding her childhood pony Smokie all over Kirkfield Park, including into her school which got her suspended.  She often shared memories of holding hands with her grandpa, walking around his vast gardens, and growing up by the Assiniboine River, finding wild flowers, and all sorts of creatures to scare her beloved sisters with.  

Rita attended Westwood high school, where she met her husband John Smith.  They were quite the power couple. John, the big strong football player from Brooklands and the beautiful, blond tom boy.  They were married in 1969, and moved to Dugald Road, with their 2 Saint Bernards, and added some horses, had lots of legendary parties still talked about and welcomed their first son Shane.

She went to Red River to become a Lab Technologist, and she loved her career.  She worked at Cadham Lab, Children’s Hospital, Deer Lodge with her Mother Mavis, and then spent 28 years working at Teulon Hospital where she also became an x-ray tech.  Her bubbly personality made her popular with the patients, and her skill and knowledge were admired by her co-workers. She also trained lab students for RRC. She spent countless nights and weekends on call, driving back roads at all times of night, in every kind of Manitoba weather, and the vast majority of the time did it happily.  

In 1974, they moved to an  acreage  near Argyle, and this became their forever home.  Here they added more horses, chickens, many dogs the size of horses and cats the size of dogs. They also welcomed Braxton and Morgan.  They loved being in their beautiful yard and working in their huge gardens, going for walks, and cross country skiing.  She loved hosting  BBQ’s and bonfires, going to Twin Beaches, and Hillside Beach, and spending time with family and friends. 

Rita loved to travel and took many family trips to California, and Western Canada to spend time with friends and family.  Her and John also took two trips to England, the Mediterranean, and 2 trips to Thailand, and a memorable Mother daughter trip to Churchill.

She loved her family more than anything and was the best Mother.  She was thrilled to become a grandmother and then overjoyed to be a great grandmother.  Nothing made Mom happier than being around babies and children. She 

She was tough as nails, and faced adversity with grit and always a beautiful smile on her face.  Through cancer, surgeries, broken bones, and even a horse falling on her, that smile never failed.  It stayed the same when she was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia and Primary Progressive Aphasia.  The last few years were tough, but she still delighted in the sun on her face, northern lights, flowers, good food, and especially in her family. She was so happy to live with her two young granddaughters for the last years of her life. She was eternally optimistic and always chose to be happy.  

To know her was to love her.  She will be so missed and always loved.  A celebration of life will take place in May.

We her family would like to thank the entire staff of Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall.  The Nurses, recreation workers, office staff, dietary aides, housekeepers, every person in that building  showed her the compassion and love she deserved and that was a lot.  You preserved her dignity, and took the stress off of us, and we can’t thank you enough.  

In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, please consider donating to The Alzheimer’s Society or to The Cancer Society. 

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