It is with sadness – but undying love and tenderness – that we announce the passing of our mother, Rita Patricia Schiller, surrounded by her family, on January 20, 2020 in her 103rd year.

Rita was adored by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her friendship was treasured by all who knew her. Beloved wife of Ray (1980) for 43 years, Rita is survived by daughter Sharon Strong, (Barry, 2017), and sons Jim (Joanne), Mike (Robin), Tom (Debbie), Bill (Mary) and Pat (Theresa).

Rita was also cherished by grandchildren Kelly (Mike), Colleen (John), Catherine, the late Maureen (John), Christina (Bill), Ray (Sherri), Carolyn (Achille), Mary-Anne (Richard), the late John, Tom (Gillian), Lisa (Duane), Michelle (Dan), Renée (John), Stephanie, Jeff (Samantha), Jay, Eric (Nadine), Martin (Amanda), Scott, Brie, TJ, Erika, Nathan and Michael.

Rita was also the treasured great-grandmother of Kurtis, Nicholas, Blake, Lukas, Connor, Christopher, Corey, Fana, Cecilia, Georgia, Spencer, Alexis, Lucca, Matteo, Roman, Jasper, Orson, Jack, Will, Isaac, Kate, Isabelle, Joshua, Jacob, Cooper, Sawyer and Archer. She is also survived by her loving sisters Margaret Schiller of Windsor and Shirley Cawood of Garden City, Michigan and their wonderful children.

Rita held dear her friendships with fellow bridge players at The Carriage House in Windsor, the Golden Age Club in Tecumseh, as well as with others at clubs in Windsor and Belle River. She was a keen traveller, reader and crossword player and a devoted fan of “Jeopardy!” She was also a lifelong member of the Catholic Women’s League.

The family wishes to extend its thanks to everyone of the extraordinarily talented and caring professionals at Huron Lodge in Windsor – and especially to its Palliative Care Team -- for the respect and tenderness they showed Rita along the journey. We’d like to thank Dr. John Greenaway, Dr. Sheri Bergeron, nurses Katherine, Olivera, Chelsea, Mary and Stacey, as well as personal support workers Georgia, John, Kim, “The Colleens,” and countless others, who allowed our mother to die in peace and with dignity. We are also grateful to the caring people at LHIN/CCAC and the Windsor Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. On Thursday, January 23, 2020 family and friends are welcome to gather at Families First 1065 Lauzon Rd., East Windsor, 519-969-5841 from 9:30 until leaving in procession at 10:15 a.m. A funeral mass will follow at Good Shepherd Parish Church, 462 Advance Blvd, Lakeshore, Ontario at 11 a.m. Should you wish, donations may be made to Divine Mercy Food Bank of Windsor or to a charity of choice devoted to those in need. Share memories, photos or make a donation at www.FamiliesFirst.ca