Obituary of Rita Marguerite Clark
CLARK (NEE BÉNÉTEAU) RITA MARGUERITE
“You have given me all I needed or wanted…..your love.”
Our dear Mom, Rita Marguerite, formerly of River Canard, Windsor, Ontario passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 27, 2022 in her 100th year.
She is predeceased by her loving and devoted husband, James Murray Clark (age 41-1962) of London, Ontario.
Dear Mom of son, Gerard (Gerry) Clark (Marilyn Evans) of London, Ontario and daughter Rita Margaret Clark-Lernout and husband James Lernout, of Waterloo, Ontario
Predeceased by her children, Francis Leonard (age 6- 1951-1957) and Patrick Michael (age 49-1996). Dear daughter-in -law, Carol Catherine Clark (Brieir) 2011, brother-in-law, Reverend John Bartley Clark (1992), grandson, Casey Petzke (2010); her parents Joseph Edmund Bénéteau and Marie Louise Pouget (nee Laframboise); sisters, Pearl (Deneau), Isabel (Spieles), Antoinette (Maitre), Martha (infant) brother Hector Bénéteau, and God parents, Francis and Clarice Bondy of River Canard.
Cherished grandmother (“Nana-Meme”) of Ryan Clark of London, Heidi Clark of Stratford, Stephen Morriss (Hillary) of Melbourne, Jennifer Petzke (David Stansbury) of St. Thomas, Kelly-Anne Morris (Joshua) of Strathroy, and Michael Bartley Clark of North Vancouver, and 8 great grandchildren, Meaghan and Christian Petzke , Abigayle, Jacob and Robyn Morriss, and Jackson, Hayden and Colton Morris, and many loved nieces and nephews.
Lovingly remembered by her sister Marceline Major (Bratt) of Amherstburg, Ontario , brother Edmund Bénéteau (Joan) , of Toronto, Ontario, sister-in-law, Mary Jane Dykeman (Clark) of Lucan, Ontario, and her very dear and special friend, Theresa Boland of London.
Our Mom’s bravery, determination, faithfulness, competiveness and strength carried her through many rewarding and very challenging times. Rita was a loving, tireless and devoted Mother who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Rita was an active member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL-1957) and the Adult Folk Choir at Blessed Sacrament Church, and St. Patrick’s Church for over 70 years. She was forever singing or whistling a tune of one of her many favourite songs or hymns. Our Mom was a beautiful woman, who had given for many years, all she had, to others through her God.
She retired after 25 years, as a Medical Stenographer in the Radiology (Imaging) Department, at St. Joseph Hospital, London
Rita always enjoyed and cherished the visits with family and friends and especially the company of her faithful companion, her cat “Minoo”.
She enjoyed baking especially her French Tortieres at Christmas and other holidays. Everything Rita baked was delicious and made with love. Rita loved to go to the theatre, dance a “good” polka, bowling, Euchre with the ladies from the church and other friends, paper toll, sewing, crocheting, hanging out her laundry on a breezy sunny day, gardening, growing a vegetable garden, bird watching and especially spending time just relaxing sitting on her front porch at her beautiful cottage in Bayfield Ontario.
She had the opportunity to travel and visit Mexico City, Jamaica, Montreal, Quebec City, British Columbia, Alberta, Calgary, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, New York City, Florida and Disney Land, Nashville Tennessee and Atlantic City.
Our Mom was very kind and also extremely generous to her Church, and always put others first and never hesitated to open her home to family and friends that were in need.
Through her unwavering faith, Mom taught all her children to love the Lord, to love each other and to forgive. We were truly blessed to be her children. She will be greatly missed by all.
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks, to all the staff at Strathmere Lodge, (Parkview) LTC, Strathroy, Ontario. Thank you to Reverend Thom Blondin and Father Steve of All Saints Parish, in Strathroy for their visits, prayers and bringing her joy and peace with receiving the Blesssed Eucharist and the Sacrament of the Sick.
A Mothers prayer is, “that her children will love each other long after she is gone.”
Friends and family are invited to John T. Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street at King Street, London, Ontario for visitation on Sunday, May 1st from 2-4 and 7-9 o'clock. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 1251 Dundas Street at Oakland Avenue, London, Ontario on Monday morning, May 2nd at 11 o'clock. Interment to follow in the family plot at St. Peter's Cemetery London.
If desired, our Mom’s wish was that in lieu of flowers, to make donations to the World Vision or The Carmelite Monastery, St. Agatha, Ontario, or charity of your choice.
To donate to the World Vision Organization please, Click Here
To donate to Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph please, Click Here
