It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marie Rita Bradford (née Durocher) on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the Ottawa General Hospital.
Born July 6, 1928 in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, “Rita” was one of ten children born to Adolphis Durocher (1899-1961) and his wife, Lillian May Massia (1906-1984). She grew up in Vankleek Hill and to help support her family found work in Ottawa. Here she met and later married Franklyn George Bradford on Valentine’s Day in 1948.
Left to mourn her death are her two children, William Bryan Bradford (Margaret Anne Cleaver) and Diana- Lynne Bradford; two sisters, Madeleine Martin and Claire (the late Fern) Laurence and two brothers, Guy (Mary) and Paul (Carol) Durocher; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Rita was known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Nan”. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Cynthya, Michael (Bridget Roussy) and Amy (Gord Petre) Bradford; Shannon (Nader Atieh), Frank and Gary (Erika Godwin) Chamberlain. She was a loving great grandmother to Kaitlyn and Jordan Bradford Smith; Serena and Sara Jaber and Sami Atieh.
Rita was pre-deceased by her husband of fifty years, Franklyn George Bradford (1927-1999), a grandson, David Christopher Bradford (1973-1973) and five siblings, namely: Roland (Jeannette Giroux) Durocher (1925-1985), Wilfrid (the late Estelle Menard) Durocher (1930-2015), Lucien (Elizabeth Hesner) Durocher (1935-1999), Jacqueline “Jackie” (Gary) Rivoire (1940-1993) and Andrea “Audrey” (Eddie) Forest (1941-1995).
Respecting Rita’s wishes, her remains are to be cremated. Her ashes will be interred in the Bradford family plot at Beechwood Cemetery in the spring. (Time and date yet to be determined)
Digital Guestbook
Diana Geekie
Richard Durocher, Denise Durocher
Sincères condoléances à toute la famille..... Rest on peace aunt Rita
Doris Maureen Rivoire
My dearest Auntie Rita I am grateful we had you in our lives for as long as we did. You were always a very kind and very giving person. I take solace in knowing you are now at peace and with my mom and your siblings. You will forever be missed and loved.
Love you to the moon and back forever and ever ❤️❤️
Debbie Toane (Rivoire)
Auntie Rita your “Deborah Annie” is going to miss you dearly! I take peace in knowing you are going to be with my mom (Jackie)among others . I love you beyond words!! Until we meet again in heaven!! Rest now!
RIta Hesener
Liebe Tante Rita ❤wir fanden zusammen als ich meinen Vater Lucien suchte. Deinen Bruder! Ich bekam einen lieben Brief von dir.Papa war leider schon versterben. Das war 2002 und du kamst auch direkt mit Cyndy nach Iserlohn. Von derZeit an liebte ich dich .Du gab's mir viel Zuneigung wenn die Kinder und ich nach Ottawa kamen. Du hast mir viel über Papa erzählt. Ich bin dankbar für.Ich denke immer gerne an die Worte :ich liebe. Wie werde ich es vermisse.Ich bin für alles dir dankbar und werde dich immer in meinem Herzen tragen. Auch wenn ich jetzt noch so traurig bin .
Ich komme im Oktober und werde von dir verabschießen.
Ich LIEBE DICH ❤
Rita Lucie
Sharon Pichie
To all, our deepest sympathies.
Rita, you were so generous with your time and we will miss your sense of humour and the wonderful twinkle in your eyes. I loved you for calling a spade a spade and not mincing words when you had something to say, whether it be good or not so good. I hope Frank plays Ave Maria for you every day! Much love, Sharon andJack
Carole Nault
My condolences to the family.....You are with my mom (Patricia Nault Pichie) and all our family member's that are up in heaven...You will be missed aunt Rita!!!
Rita Hesener
Aunt Rita, you’re going to be missed.
You have blessed us with your love, humour generosity and so much more than words can describe. We are looking back to precious memories we have shared with you. Rest in peace; we will not forget you and love you.
Louise Larose
Didn't know ? Rita was my mother's cousin on the Durocher side. She was always part of the family. My deepest sympathies to her family. May She RIP ? AMEN
Lena Robinson
Cyndy, Katyln, Jordan, my condolences to you and all of Rita’s family and friends.
May she rest in everlasting peace and may all the memories you all hold dear of your years together with Rita comfort you every day.
I am really going to miss our conversations over the phone with you auntie. My only regret is that I was never able to make it back home to visit you. We always had a laugh to share and alot of good times. I will miss the sound of your voice and the love you had for me. I will always carry you in my heart I love you to the moon and back forever and for always