It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rita Ann Malenfant.
Rita Ann Malenfant, 107, of Moncton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday February 3, 2021 at the Villa du Repos. Born on August 6, 1913 in Cocagne, she was the daughter of the late Albénie and Victorine (Després) Bourque and the wife of the late Joseph J. Malenfant (2009).
Rita will be greatly missed by her seven children: Janine (Gérald) of Ottawa, Bernard (Susan) of Shediac, Camille (Sharon) of Haute-Aboujagane, Guy (Margot) of Grand-Barachois, Robert (Sophie), Carmelle and Monique of Moncton; her daughter-in-law, Claudette of Shediac; her 19 grandchildren: Michel, Nadine, Marc, Christian, Pierre, Guylaine, Gabriel, Anik, Joffre, Parise, Rita-Anne, Samuel, Sophie, Julie, Éric, Claude, Julien, Mathilde and Adel, as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by one son, Louis (Claudette) (2018); one daughter, Marie (1947); her two sisters: Maria and Géraldine; her six brothers: François, Euclide, Paul, Edmond, Joseph, and infant Edmond. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was a very lovable mother and grandmother. Known for her exceptional cooking skills, she enjoyed preparing meals for her family and visitors who often spontaneously came to 501.
She always found time to help others. She was a dedicated volunteer for many years at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital as well as the Karing Kitchen soup kitchen in Moncton.
Rita was a woman of convictions with a very caring heart. She had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. She moved from Cocagne in the late 1930s to open her hair salon "Modern Beauty Salon" on Main Street in Moncton. She was involved and worked in this professional environment at various times in her career while being a mother of eight children. She was also a teacher in her field and taught specific hairstyling techniques of her time. Little anecdote: Hairstylist Paul LeBlanc, winner of an Oscar in Hairdressing for the film Amadeus, was one of her students. He remained forever grateful to her in helping him master certain hair styling techniques that served him well during his career.
She leaves us with beautiful memories and unforgettable moments. She liked to laugh a lot and especially enjoyed making those close to her laugh too. She had a good sense of humor and preferred to always look at the positive side. She would tell us to laugh it off instead of feeling sorry for ourselves and to always look at the brighter side of life: La vie en rose!
Her wisdom, words of encouragement, good advice, zest for life and beautiful smile will remain forever in our hearts.
The family would like to thank the staff at Villa du Repos. Special thanks to Melissa and Linda as well as to all the attendants and nurses of Unit 500. A special thank you to Dr. Hubert Dupuis for the good care he gave her during her long life.
She leaves a great void, but her memory will forever be engraved in our hearts.
The funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint-Pierre R.C. church, 2000 Route 115, Cocagne, on Friday August 6 at 1:30 pm. Visiting hours are in the church slumber room on Friday from 10 am to 12 pm.
A reception will follow after the funeral.
Interment will be in Cocagne parish cemetery. In memory of Rita, a contribution to a local food bank would be appreciated.
Funeral arrangements are in the professional care of Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, Moncton (858-1900).
Words of comfort and donations may be made at www.frenettefuneralhome.com
