“She arranged for us to go to France with her.  We had a lovely holiday and she was really kind to make it possible for us to go to France.  She was the kindest lady on earth.”  (Trhliks)

“Dear Rita, We loved you, missing you . . . ”  (Tomas and Ivana)

“I remember Rita for her patience with the children at holiday club – helping them to learn to sew.  Endless patience so they could thread a needle.”  (Sue)

“Dear Rita, friend, neighbour and fellow worker, what a gift you have been over 30+ years.  Memories are too poignant to write just now, but we will pick up the baton you have put down.  God bless you and keep you, love Margaret P.”

“Picking raspberries and rhubarb in a lovely garden!” (Glenn & Winifred)

“To know Rita was to feel loved and accepted.  She was worth far more than precious rubies.  We will miss you but rejoice to know you are with Jesus.” (Unknown)

“Rita was a wonderful person.  She was one of the few people who made me feel that I was truly loved by God.”  (Anon)

“A special lady with a heart for others caring  and  full of Godly wisdom.  I have memories of her when she hosted a post-Alpha house group.  She will be missed.  Much love, Jessica Currie.”

“Thank you for all your hard work tutoring us.  We are all very thankful.” (Ben and Daniel)

“Thank you Rita for being such a great and thoughtful friend.  My children and I have learned a lot from you.  We shall never ever forget you.  Love of love” (JJ, Lana & Nadia)

Provided by Miriam 

My very very dear Rita,

 If you can talk to me through the words and music in your funeral, I know I can talk to you.  

I want to thank you for all that you have done for me.  How you were totally there, and a rock when things at times were really tough.  You were 100% reliable and as a young family we felt enormously welcomed and absorbed into your house and your family particularly when we stayed with you for a while following the birth of Kezia.  We shared so much fun over many years and I loved and was inspired by your approach to life.  You lived a life in synchrony with not just ideas, but words and actions that matched.

I am so glad that you never had to leave your house with all its cherished memories and that you continued to see life as a challenge – the cross-trainer was a fabulous idea!  You really died in active service and that is how you would have chosen it.

I will miss you enormously, but know that your legacy lives on in the wonderful family you have and were so proud of, and the way that you have touched so many lives.

You will always remain an inspiration to me and I hope that by the time it is my turn to move on upwards, I will have been able to be of use to at least one person in the way that you were to me.

With gratitude and love,

 Miriam

Contributed By Nel Walker 

I first met Rita when she and Werner began coming to Stanmore Baptist Church in the early eighties.  My first memory is their coming to a Sunday tea at the Manse.

Contributed by members of the Stanmore Baptist Church 

“Rita is an inspiration to us all and we would all want to be like her as we approach old age.” (Rosie and Ken)

“Rita loved music and worship – she was always an encouragement and a blessing to me!” (Glyn)

“Rita, always had an encouraging word and she hosted my family & I for a Sunday lunch”

“Rita supported us so much especially our four boys, Jacob, Dylan, Eran and Aled. Such a wonderful role model. We miss you. x”   (Helen)

“What a lovely lady, she always had a smile on her face. We miss her! Playing the angels in heaven.” (Mel, Ken, Nathan and Luke)

“Rita: You have been always so Very Kind, Compassionate & Loving to Rachel . . . Each of us will Miss You”   (Rachel’s family)

“Rita made it possible for us to remain in Stanmore, and therefore at the church after we married. So far that has been an extra 25 yrs of service and involvement. Hopefully there will be many more years. Thank you Rita!” (Tony and Gill Barden)

“I remember asking Rita to pray for me & my family and being a little scared of her, but the warmth and love I felt during and after when she talked to see how everything was has always put a special spot in my heart for Rita.” (Wendy)

“A lovely person who always made us feel welcome. Rita often prayed for our family and was so nice with her comments about our daughter. We pray she is at peace now and ask that the Lord will bless her legacy and family.” (Sukhram family)

“Rita is a lovely and kind woman. Only last Sunday she called William, my husband, to tell him that if our son needs any help at all with his studies she would be happy to help and to just let her know.”

“I still can’t believe her heart has stopped beating. It is like walking past Big Ben every day at noon and hearing it chime. And then one day it doesn’t. Rita we love you with all our heart.” (Shaun)

“I’ll always remember how she always helped the young people.” (James)

“Rita, you were a bright light to us.” (Sadhna)

“Will always remember her hospitality & warmth. RIP Rita, love Liz”

“A lovely lady and a real giver of her time and talents. X”

“She always helped people and was a fabulous friend.” (Natalka)

“You radiated so much peace and love. Rest in Peace” (Olu)

“I will always remember her and how she welcomed everyone and how she helped me with my work.”

“Rita has played a significant part in many people’s lives through her acts of friendship, generosity and hospitality, our own included. Hers was a life totally lived to the full and her immense energy and zest for living an absolute wonder to behold!”

“She was a very special lady, full of so much love and caring for everyone around her.  We will miss her very much.”

“The passing of a very great Lady”.

“Rita was an outstanding member of the Stanmore Society, having been a member for at least 34 years, possibly even longer.  She was an active member as well as an active committee member..  She gave continued  valuable support in our activities, latterly as the Editor of our Newsletter, a function which nobody else could manage as well she did. We must not also forget her other good and charitable works.  Her energetic and creative presence is now lost to the Society and to Stanmore.”

“She was a wonderful lady and one who we were privileged to know during our regular trips.”

“’His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”‘ She has been a really faithful servant of God and I believe is now continuing as she has done for many years .. to share her master’s happiness. I will miss Rita so very much and appreciate all the love, time, fun, interest and kindness she has given during our years of friendship.”