Dr. Rita Stephania Werbowyj

Beloved youngest daughter of Stefan Werbowyj and the late Martha Zajac, cherished sister, faithful companion and best friend of her sister Olga - Talya, passed away suddenly at the new CHUM-Saint-Luc Hospital on April 20th, 2019.

Rita was a very happy child who viewed the world with love and endless curiosity. She knew how to make her family laugh. She also knew how to make good friends. Father Nick Kushniryk who baptized her always called her “Rita Chiquitta.”

Rita grew up to be a strong brave intelligent woman with a generous heart who cared for her family and her friends even as she silently battled her own serious health issues. She was always willing to help everyone even strangers.

Rita earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University in 1982. Her thesis was titled: Characterization of Hydroxypropylcellulose Cholesteric Lyomesophases. She worked for many years at McGill University at the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada before re-locating to Paprican at Pointe Claire. She also worked at the National Research Council in Ottawa. While still a student she planned and organized the Christmas parties at Paprican that went on for days. She became an expert at solving computer problems that often baffled the IT department.

In her younger years she belonged to the Solidarity of the Children of Mary at Church run by the SSMI. She played the guitar and liked nothing better than to have a sing-a-long on Saturday afternoons and holidays with her sister. Rita sang “Johnny Angel” on the CFCF-TV show MAGIC TOM.

Rita designed and printed up the invitations for the Bowling Club banquet at Church for many years and she also designed and printed the new Ukrainian stamp pages for the Ukrainian Philatelic Club in Montreal. In fact, if anyone needed anything printed at Church, Rita would always help.

Rita was a mystery book afficionado and enjoyed good movies, songs and tv shows. She loved to entertain and knew how to be a great hostess but in recent years there wasn’t much time to do so. She liked to bar-b-que steak on a charcoal grill. Rita enjoyed getting together with her best friend Jacqueline and going out to eat but she also always made sure to bring back groceries for home. Rita appreciated fine food and became a terrific cook in recent years.

Rita loved animals and helped find homes for the stray kittens that her mother fed. She started collecting stuffed animals at an early age. Along with her sister Rita cared for their aged parents and always tried to do what the family needed. Her life was cut short too soon. She deserved more happiness than life and work brought her.

Visitation, panachyda and prayers at Alfred Dallaire Memoria, 3254 Bellechasse, Montreal on May 8th from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral Divine Liturgy at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 6185 10th avenue, in Rosemount on May 9th at 9:30 a.m.

My heart is bereft of all joy and my soul cries to God who dries my tears even as they keep falling. Jesus, keep her safe and happy in your loving arms.

Christ Is Risen! Chrystos Voskres!