ROBBINS, Rita Jeanne - July 9, 1932 – October 1, 2018 She never lost a fight, not with marauding bears, mad trappers or the few unfortunate individuals who, over her 86-plus years, foolishly made the mistake of underestimating her.
And through it all she laughed, not a demure mouth-behind-your-hand laugh, but the kind of full-throated, near hysterical roar that caused restaurant diners to turn their heads and involuntarily smile.
Rita Robbins was a force of nature.
We can't say with absolute certainty, but she may have been the reason that giant storms were once only named after women.
But Hurricane Rita has passed. She took her leave at Wentworth Lodge on October 1st, almost eight years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a disease that incapacitated her but never diminished her. She was there to the end, her laugh, her frequently salty language, her confidence that she should be the centre of attention in whatever room she was in. She was predeceased by her husband, Wilfred Hector Robbins, in 2004.
She is survived by her two sons, Grant Robbins (Linda) of Nipigon, Ontario, and Dana Robbins (Catherine) of Hamilton, five grandchildren (Clinton, Brandy, Dana, Nicola and Jacob) and seven great grandchildren (Aydin, Charlotte, Wyatt, Ellie, Nathan, Jaxson and Sawyer.) Our family feels such gratitude to the team at Wentworth Lodge, Dr. Scott Nash, the nurses, the support workers, the recreational, cleaning and custodial staff.
If there are angels on earth, they are probably working at Wentworth Lodge. A service celebrating Rita's life will be held on Friday, October 5th at 11 :30 a.m. at Turner Family Funeral Home, Dundas.
Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated.
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