Obituary of Rita Leanne DeZeeuw

DEZEEUW, Rita Leanne - 64. It is with extreme sadness in our hearts to share that our beautiful wife, mother, sister, and Nana, Rita Leanne DeZeeuw passed away peacefully in her husband’s loving arms on June 21, 2024. She was born on November 27, 1959, in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Agnus Funk and the late Henry Funk. She grew up on a farm near  Kelso, Saskatchewan. Rita received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1984. She taught in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan for 4 years where she met the love of her life, Hendrik. They got married and moved to Mount Pearl, Newfoundland in 1987, where they lived for over 30 years before retiring to Nova Scotia.

Rita retired from teaching to raise her three children. She cherished her career as a mother and later, Nana. Music was a huge part of Rita’s life. She sang before she could talk, and was a skilled pianist. She enjoyed playing classical, hymns and worship music that became alive with her touch.

Rita loved to live, moment by moment. She cherished the joys in life, big and small. She loved to be surrounded by laughter, and she herself had an unforgettable laugh. Rita wants to be remembered for how much she loved her husband, children, family, and friends.

Rita greeted her Lord and Saviour on June 21, 2024. She joined her father Henry Funk, sister Ronda Verity, and brother Roger Funk. Rita leaves her beloved family behind to mourn her loss. She will be missed and remembered by her husband Hendrik DeZeeuw, with whom she spent 38 years of love and laughter, daughters Katrina (Josh) Sinclair, Bronwyn DeZeeuw, and Jasmine (Ryan) DeZeeuw, and grandchildren Neil, Breanna, and Tessa. She will also be missed and remembered by her mother Agnes Funk, parents-in-law Ad and Janny DeZeeuw, sister Rhoda (Brad) Crossley, sisters-in-law Debbie Dunnigan, Cathy (George) Cleghorn, Lucy (Jeff) Jasperse, Ingrid Ogden, Frederica (Bob) Emery, brothers-in-law Rod Verity and Derrick DeZeeuw, and a large number of friends, nieces, nephews and their children.

Arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to J. Albert Walker Funeral Home, Halifax. A memorial service will be held on July 13, 2024, at 3 pm at Birch Cove Baptist Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A memorial will be arranged in St. John’s, Newfoundland in the fall of 2024. To place online condolences, please visit www.walkerfh.com