1926
2012
Passed away peacefully in Surrey, BC. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon and sister Bobbie. She is deeply missed by her sisters Pauline (Art), Deanie (Ed); children Doug (Nicole), Shooie (Phil), George (Sherry) and Gordon (Audrey); grandchildren Kari, Chris, Nathan, Candice, Jeff, Solange, Josephine; and many nieces and nephews. Rita was a long time resident of Surrey, BC, and a Surrey teacher for 32 years. Mom was vivacious and loved life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Peruvian Children at plancanada.ca or a children's charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831 28th Avenue, Surrey, BC.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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11 Entries
September 18, 2014
David Vipond
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Hansford, a very special teacher to me in formative years. When I had trouble, she helped me; when I got something right, she encouraged me; easily the most empathetic teacher I ever had. We will raise a toast to her at our 50th class reunion and thank her for three very good years in elementary.
September 18, 2014
Jim MacQuarrie
Rita Hansford was very literally a life-saver. I hope she had some sense of that. As one of the fortunate students she inspired during her Enrichment Class years in Surrey, BC, I have often wondered what would have become of me had her teaching not stoked my love of learning. I KNOW her influence kept me sane and at least engaged through the years following the class disbanding after Grade 7. And I'm pretty certain my life would not have been nearly as fulfilling and enriched throughout without her formative influence. My only regret is not having the opportunity to get to know her outside the classroom. Rest in Peace, lovely lady.
September 18, 2014
Dave Mihalech
Mrs. Hansford was the kindest and most inspirational teacher I had ever known. Caring, gentle, thought provoking, classy, passionate and revered best describe the woman who helped stimulate my interest in learning during three very important formative years in my life. Thank you so much and may you rest in peace with the knowledge that you had such a favourable impact on so many lives.
Dave Mihalech
September 18, 2014
Dave Mihalech
Mrs. Hansford was the kindest and most inspirational teacher I had ever known. Caring, gentle, thought provoking, classy, passionate and revered best describe the woman who helped stimulate my interest in learning during three very important formative years in my life. Thank you so much and may you rest in peace with the knowledge that you had such a favourable impact on so many lives.
September 17, 2014
Paul Hanson
I attended the Enrichment Class from 1960 to 1963 and Mrs. Hansford was my teacher. Having come from a very poor family with only my mother to care for six boisterous children, Mrs. Hansford provided this child with a wonderfully stimulating classroom atmosphere filled with enchantment, encouragement and enlightenment. Although my family moved away before the class completed in 1964, I left a very different and thoughtful young child than when I enrolled. My childhood was blessed by this lady...may she rest in peace. Paul Hanson.
September 17, 2014
Janet Warne
Mrs. Hansford's Enrichment Class (1960 - 1964) will be celebrating its 50th Reunion at the Harbour House Hotel in Ganges, Salt Spring Island on Oct. 17 - 19, 2014.
In honour of Mrs. Hansford's love of life and learning, this guest book has been re-opened to provide her former students with a forum where they can express their appreciation for the difference she has made in their lives.
Thank you, Mrs. Hansford!
January 4, 2013
Nanette Cyr Pergentile
Peace to all of you. Mrs. Hansford was my Gr 5 teacher at Old Yale Elementary School. I remember her as being a quiet and sensitive teacher.
January 3, 2013
Tracey Knight-Turvey
I was saddened when I first heard news of Mrs Hansford's passing away, but I find that now when I think back, I only have fond, heart-felt memories of her. I was fortunate enough to be in her Year 4 class when she came to Gympie on the Teacher Exchange Program in the late 70's. Those children in her class considered themselves very lucky and most definitely enjoyed learning that year. I was able to catch up with Rita when she came across and we held a reunion of her past pupils. It was wonderful to see her and speak with her again, she was just as I remembered her, when I was a child. Happy, kind, friendly, bubbly, caring. A very special person whom I think had a great impact on myself choosing to become a teacher. Thank you Rita for being the wonderful person you were, and the wonderful person you still are in my memories....
January 1, 2013
Robyn Buchanan
I was sad to hear the news of Rita's passing. I first met Rita and Gordie in Gympie, Queensland when they came on teacher exchange in the mid 1970's.
Rita really enjoyed her stay in Australia and all the staff and students at One Mile School were much the richer for knowing her. I can see her smiling face and hear her happy laughter even now.
I was also privileged to visit Canada a couple of times and stayed with Rita.
I met the family and was shown the sights of Vancouver in the spring.
Rita, Bernice, Pauline and Art visited us in Australia quite a few years later.
I would like to pass on my sympathy to the family at this sad time.
From
Robyn Buchanan (formerly Whitnall) - a friend and colleague of Rita.
email: [email protected]
December 15, 2012
Kari Nicholson
Heaven recieved a very special lady. Auntie Rita, you will be missed so much as you have touched so many. You will always be remembered and loved. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. Lots of love to you! xoxoxo
December 15, 2012
David Fuller
So many wonderful memories of my Auntie Rita. Her trips to Quesnel, going to Disneyland as a kid with her family, Mayne Island summer holidays, Christmas in Hawaii and too many more memories to list here. She was always supportive and encouraging of my endeavours. All her life she looked out for her baby sister, my Mom. I will always rememberer her as being full of laughter and life. She was fashionable, had a great sense of design, she was smart, she was funny and she made this nephew feel special.
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