Rita McCooeye
Rita McCooeye died on Jan. 23,
2003 at Winchester District Memorial Hospital. She was 69.
She was born Elizabeth Marie Rita Regimbal on April 6, 1933 in
Aylmer, Quebec. She was the oldest of two children born to Theodore
Regimbal and Marie Smith. After the death of her mother, she grew
up in Chelsea, Quebec, with her grandmother and aunt. Later she
moved to Ottawa to work at Revlon.
She married Donald Gibson McCooeye on July 14, 1956 at the Metcalfe
United Church manse. They built their own house on his family
farm near Edwards. In 1960 they moved from their new home to the
older farm house on the McCooeye homestead where Donald's parents
had lived.
Together they operated the dairy farm and she began her own registered
kennel which was known as Golden Glow Kennel. They raised a family
of four: Dianne, Donna, Joy and Jim. In 1981 they moved to Williamsburg
to semi-retire and be near the place where they started out as
husband and wife, "because Morrisburg was where they honeymooned."
She was active in the Canadian Kennel Club for more than 35 years.
She bred and raised eight different breeds. She was a very patient,
understanding and caring individual. She would sacrifice her own
desires to fulfil someone else's. She was the best friend anyone
could have.
Mrs. McCooeye enjoyed quilting, gardening, country music and working
with animals. Her dedication was endless. When her children were
young she would start her morning at sunrise by feeding young
calves in the barn. Then she would get the children ready for
school, followed by feeding and caring for a litter of puppies,
all in a daily morning's routine.
She and Donald had a true loving marriage for 44 years, until
he lost his battle with cancer on Aug. 6, 2000.
She is survived by her children: Dianne (Tom Deafy) of Thunder
Bay; Donna (Jim Gleason) of Venosta, Quebec; Joy and Jim, both
of Williamsburg. She is also survived by grandchildren Peter,
Crystal and Kaylie. She will be missed deeply and always be remembered
with love.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg
on Jan. 27. The funeral was the same day, followed by cremation.
Interment of cremated remains will be at Spring Hill Cemetery
in Vernon in the spring.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated
by the family.