Rita Marie Atkinson (nee Williams) 86, passed away peacefully at St. Patrick's Mercy Home in St. John's surrounded by her two loving and devoted daughters.

Rita was born and raised in Corner Brook and began her career at the Western Star newspaper. Shortly after, Rita and Fred Basha teamed up to start a weekly newspaper called The Humber Log, Fred as the editor and Rita as the advertising manager.

Rita had a knack for sales. She loved talking to people. She loved a good news story. She loved listening to the radio, especially CBC Radio. She loved watching sports on TV. She also loved watching softball on the field just next to their backyard.

Rita was involved in fundraising for many organizations, softball and broomball tournaments and designing souvenir booklets for the Corner Brook Winter Carnival.

Rita also contributed to the Roman Catholic Diocesan Review and collected donations for the All Hallows Parish Octoberfest.

In her spare time, Rita could be found in the kitchen making cookies. She loved to bake and Dad loved to eat. She took great pride in her recipes and often gave her trayed up treats to friends or just because someone did her a favour.

Above all, our Mom, Nanny, Rita, Aunt Rita, and Mrs. A, was the purest meaning of mother; her soul was kind, her heart was giving, her love was unwavering and unconditional and her being was selfless.

Rita will be sadly missed by her daughters, Carolyn (Terry Winsor) Mount Pearl, Jackie (Dave Warren) Falmouth, Nova Scotia; adoring grandchildren Adam Good (Erin) Paradise, NL, Stephanie Munro (Matthew) Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia; her precious great-grandson Cameron Munro, sister Theresa MacLean (Gordon) Ottawa, Ontario; niece Heidi MacLean Johnson, North Carolina; nephew Jason MacLean (Patricia) Ottawa, Ontario; great-nephew Riley Johnson, North Carolina; brother-in-law Ted Atkinson (Ena), Corner Brook; step-grandchildren Christopher Winsor and Jennifer Canning as well as other family members and many treasured friends.

Rita is predeceased by her husband Kevin Atkinson, first-born baby daughter, Karen Marie; parents Bartholomew and Frances Williams; sister Frances Williams; brothers-in-law Jack and Arthur Atkinson; sister-in-law Minnie Cutler and in-laws Frederick and Rosalie Atkinson.

Special thanks to the nurses, health care workers and staff on 3 North at St Patrick's in St. John's. Words cannot describe our gratitude for the exceptional care and compassion you have demonstrated to our family. Our hearts are full.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a visitation held for both Kevin and Rita on Sunday, July 14th, 2024 at Country Haven Funeral Home from the hours of 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM, from where the funeral service will take place at 10 AM on Monday, July 15th, 2024 at the Most Holy Redeemer Parish with Father Edward Terry officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery where both Kevin and Rita will be laid to rest.

"Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love" – hymn