Obituary of Rita Celeste Sampson

Rita Celeste Sampson-100 years:

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rita Celeste Sampson of River Bourgeois on February 14, 2018 at the Richmond Villa, St. Peter’s. Rita was born February 6, 1918 to Charles Sampson and Elizabeth “Minnie” Sampson (Burke) and was one of 14 children.

What she lacked in stature she made up for with her strong and feisty personality. She was famously opinionated and said it like it was. She was unapologetic and honest, she was compassionate and loving. She had a quick wit and sharp tongue that left you knowing exactly where you stood with her.  

She had grit, a strong spirit and mind, and an abiding faith that saw her through many hardships.  She survived Tuberculosis, after contracting it in the 1940’s, and spent many years in recovery.  The values of faith, family, and a strong work ethic were both experienced and practiced by her throughout her lifetime and she passed all of this on to us.  She was famous for her homemade bread, meat pies, immaculate housekeeping, walks to the post office, a good hairdo, and love of Chinese food.

She was a proud member of St. John the Baptist Parish, River Bourgeois and the Ladies Auxiliary St. Peter’s  Branch 47, Royal Canadian Legion .

She will be sorely missed and survived by her son Bucky(Ann), her grandchildren Claire(Johnny),Colette (Jason), Brent(Brenda),Nicole(Ronnie), Ross(Alisha), Linda(Steve), Debbie(Kenny), great-grandchildren:  Breah, Regyn, Asher, Brooklyn, Callum, Taylor, Kyle, and Zack, brother Simon,  sisters Susan, Kay, Josephine , a legion of nieces and nephews, and all whom loved her dearly and will never forget her tenacity, wit, charm, grace (when pertinent) and undying love and caring for them.

She was predeceased by her daughter Patsy (Albert), her husband Larry, brothers: Mark, Edward, Johnny, Gilbert, Whitney, and James her sisters: Lena, Margaret, and Cecelia.

We wish to thank Rose Merrick for keeping Nannie looking fab all these years, despite her opinions to the contrary, at times. We would also like to extent our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Jim Collins and all staff of the Richmond Villa for their professional and compassionate care…and their sense of humor. We are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Richmond Villa-Recreation Fund.

Visitation will take place Friday February 23rd from 2-4 and 6-9 pm at the River Bourgeois Visitation Parlor. Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday February 24th at 11am in St John the Baptist Parish Church. Reception to follow in the Tara-Lynne Community Center. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C. H. Boudreau Funeral Home Ltd., Arichat. To send words of comfort or to light a candle in memory of Rita please visit, www.chboudreau.com