Rita ( Dwyer) Wilson It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful, sweet, gentle, wise and loving mother on Wednesday, February 12. Mother lived a long and rewarding life that was dedicated to family. Born in Whitby on June 26, 1920, mother was the youngest child to Mary Ellen and James Dwyer. She is predeceased by her loving siblings Norine, Jack and Joe. Mother married our father, Gordon "Pete" Wilson, in 1945. Together, they dedicated their lives to raising their seven children in a close, Catholic, family-centred home. Mother returned to work when the youngest started school. She worked as a Ward Secretary at the Oshawa General Hospital for many years and continued as volunteer after her retirement. Our father passed away in his 65th year leaving mother on a mission to have her family "stay close". Mother was kindness and unconditional love, open and accepting to all. She always looked on the bright side and saw the good in people. She made each of us feel special, a family of seven "only childs". Mother loved her garden and had a green thumb when it came to roses. She loved watching the birds and always made sure the bird feeders were full. Mother was happiest when the family was together. She especially loved spending time with family at cottages, the farm, trips to the east coast, Calgary and the Caribbean and, of course, football games. For the past thirteen years, mother's favourite companion was her dog Sam. Mother was a woman of deep faith and we know her endless prayers helped us during challenging times. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, GG and friend. She will be dearly missed by: her children Suellen, Jennifer and Walter, Jeffery and Cathy, Patti, Paul and Donna, Mark, Margaret, and Michael and Sharon; her grandchildren Aimee, Andre and Catalina, Kevin and Megan, Gina and Felix, Madeline, Stephanie, Trevor, Tyler, Simon, Mitchell, Kyle and Mackenzie; and her great-grandchild Torin. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Quinn and Debbie for their compassion and kindness. Their excellent care afforded us many more years of enjoyment with our mother. A funeral mass will be held at St. Gertrude Catholic Church on Saturday, February 22 at 12:00. Memorial donations may be made at that time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Gertrude's. "May God hold you in the palm of His hand."