RITA SIMONS of Lethbridge, AB, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.  Rita was predeceased by her parents, Gerardus & Hendrika Hurkens, her sisters, Frances, Gonda, Marie and Gerdie, her brothers, Gary and Cor, several nieces, nephews and her best friend Rose. 

She is survived by her children; Diane Simons, Matthew Simons, Rita (Lubomir) Vitanov and Mark (Tracy) Simons, two chosen sons; Ashley Hairy Bull and Marcel Duguay; her grandchildren, Russ ( Jordana)| Gallant, Jeni (Travis) Foisy, Alexander & Jonathan Simons, Daniel (Kayla) Puurveen, Jessica (Judd) Smith, Amy (Karl) Furtner, Marcel (Courtney) Puurveen, Justine Vitanov, Mariah, Emily & Aiden Simons; her great-grandchildren; Charlotte & Isabelle Gallant, Lauren, Christian, Hannah, Elisha & Jonathan Smith, Bradley & Allison Foisy & Mackenzie Puurveen.  She is also survived by her brothers & sisters, Hank (Carole) Hurkens, Toni (Adolf) Pries, Nellie (Steve) Saler, Lia (Albert) Fried & Joey Froese and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rita loved music (her favorite singer was Danny O’Donnell) & dancing and some of her most cherished times were with her square dancing club.  She took great pride in her ability as a square dancer being able to dance all the different parts & getting her Flying Eights diploma was the icing on her cake.  Rita also loved nothing more than a good game of cards & spent many hours with her ladies card clubs and teaching her kids & grandkids to play canasta, joker & 1500.  But most of all Rita loved hanging out with her family.  Spending time with her kids & grandkids was the highlight of life for her and you could always hear the pride in her voice when talking about them.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Michael’s Foundation, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 – 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V5.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2016-01-17
• Location : Lethbridge, Alberta