Haskett Funeral Homes | Lucan, Exeter & Zurich Ontario
Exeter: 519-235-1220 Lucan: 519-227-4211 Seaforth: 519-527-1390 Zurich: 519-236-4365
Toll free: 1-844-HASKETT
  • Home
  • All Obituaries
  • Services
    • Services
    • Cremation
    • Pre-Planning
  • Links
    • Accommodations – Southbank Suites
    • Local Bereavement Support
    • Resources
    • Local Florists
  • Contact/Find Us
  • Who We Are
  • Facilities
  • Our Pricing
  • Visit Us at Cremation & Celebrations

Rita Ryan Smith

February 18, 2009 By Haskett Funeral Homes Leave A Condolence

Rita Smith of Seaforth passed away peacefuIIy with her husband Russell at her side, at the CIinton PubIic HospitaI on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, in her 89th year. BeIoved wife of Russell Smith. Ioving mother of Mary (MichaeI) BIake and GIoria (Brian) Marcy, aII of Seaforth, and JuIia (Chris) Adair of Stratford. Grandmother of Jason and Michelle Adair, AshIey and Adam BIake and Wilson, CaIIahan, Iuke and Emma Marcy. AIso survived by a brother, EarI Ryan, numerous brothers-in-Iaw, sisters-in-Iaw, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents Thomas and Catherine (McIIhargey) Ryan, brothers Joseph, Zack, Frank, CIarence and Ieo, and sisters Anne McEachen and Iaura Ryan. FamiIy wiII receive friends at the Whitney-Ribey FuneraI Home, 87 Goderich Street West, Seaforth on Thursday from 7-9pm and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Mass of the Christian BuriaI wiII be heId on Saturday, February 21 at St. James Roman CathoIic Church, Seaforth at 11:00am. Fr. Chris GiIIespie wiII officiate. Interment St. CoIumban Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian Cancer Society or to a charity of your choice.
CondoIences at www.whitneyribeyfuneraIhome.com

Offer Condolence for the family of Rita Ryan Smith

Print Obituary & Condolences Print Obituary & Condolences

Filed Under: Obituary, Seaforth

Condolence Messages

  1. Keith Murray and family

    March 3, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    We are very sorry to hear about your loss. We express our sympathies to the family.

  2. Carol Satchell

    February 23, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    My sympathy to Russell and family.I will always remember Rita with a smile on my face.I very seldom just picked up eggs.I was always invited to come sit at the kitchen table.We exchanged news of our families and solved alot of the world&&single&&s problems.I really enjoyed those times we chatted together.

  3. Ann Preszcator

    February 21, 2009 at 5:00 AM

    Dear Family:
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Ann

  4. Frank & Louise Flangan

    February 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Russel and family

    We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Rita. She was a wonderful lady

    sincerely

    Frank, Louise, Kelsy, Nic and Emma Flanagan

  5. Bill and Lynn Whittemore

    February 21, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    Our deepest sympathy to Julia, Chris, Jason and Michelle and the rest of the family. May your fond memories guide you through this difficult time.

  6. Stan and Beth Terpstra

    February 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Russell and Family: Our sincere sympathy at this sad time…our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stan and Beth Terpstra and Family

  7. YVONNE LONGEWAY-BENDER

    February 19, 2009 at 7:00 AM

    PRECIOUS MEMORIES HOW THEY WILL LINGER.
    THOUGH WE DO NOT KNOW EACH OTHER, I SEND MY CONDOLENCES….I AM THE GRANDAUGHTER OF DAVID AND KATHERINE MCILHARGEY OF STRATFORD. DAVID BORN IN LUCAN AREA….MOTHERS NAME STELLA MCILHARGEY, SHE HAD TWO SIBLINGS LAWRENCE AND NORMAN.HER HUSBAND, MY DAD. WILLIAM J. LONGEWAY.. ALL BURIED IN AVONDALE CEMETERY, STRATFORD. GODS&&single&& BLESSINGS AND COMFORT….YVONNE

  8. Kay Ryan

    February 19, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Dear Russel, Mary Catherine, Gloria, Julia and Families
    So sorry to hear of Rita&&single&&s death. It was a particular shock since I just spoke with her last Friday. I will miss her a great deal as she always accepted and treated me 100%. Leo was very close to Rita and we spent so many times with the family at the farm enjoying her food, company and a good game of cards.
    Russell, you and the girls are going to real miss Rita but have wonderful memories and know she is in a better place.
    Her home was always welcoming even after Leo was gone. I never hesitated to stop for a visit. Many phone calls went back and forth to Rita. She kept me up to date on all of the Dublin news. She will continue to watch over all of us and keep the gate open.
    Love
    Kay Ryan

  9. Jeanette (McEachen) Adams

    February 19, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Dear Russel, Mary, Gloria, Julie
    So very sorry to hear of Aunt Rita&&single&&s death. That is amazing that we lost our mothers within months of one another.
    I have some childhood memories of your mother that have stayed with me all of these years. Ian and I stayed with Aunt Rita and Grandma when my sister was born and I was in awe of your mom!! She had huge amounts of jewellery, a leopard skin coat and so many other things that impress a 7 year old. Even after all of these years, when I thought of her, she was wearing that coat!!!
    I am so sorry for your great loss.
    with love
    Jeanette Adams

  10. Jason Adair

    February 19, 2009 at 2:00 AM

    Of course, as Rita&&single&&s grandson, I got to know her quite well. I&&single&&ll always remember visiting on the farm, and every summer when I was younger moving out to Seaforth for a week to attend hockey school. Grandma always took such good care of me then and made me realize how great it is to have loving grandparents that always want to guide you in the right direction. I&&single&&ll miss grandma, but as everyone that knew her well knows that she was a deeply spiritual person, and is certainly happy now on the other side.
    Love,
    Jason

  11. Frances Ryan & family

    February 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM

    Our deepest sympathy to Russel, Mary Catherine, Gloria, Julia, spouses, grandchildren. Rita touched us with her warmth, laughter & wonderful homebaked pies. Her passing is met with sadness. Our prayers go out to you.

  12. Doug and Janet McLean and Family

    February 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    Our sincere sympathy to my brother Mike and sister in law Mary in the loss of a wonderful Mother In Law to him and Mom to Mary. Adam and Ashley will always have a memory of Grandma when playing euchre as she taught them well. Condolences to all the Smith family members from Doug and Janet McLean and Family St.Catharines.

  13. Margaret (Rose) Ryan MacRae

    February 18, 2009 at 9:00 AM

    To Russel, Mary Catherine, Gloria, Julia and all your families. As I sit here nd remember your mom, I thank God for the wonderful, joyfilled hours that Mom (Aunt Cec) and I spent at your home Russel on Sunday. We laughted,drank a little wine and munched on goodies and solved all the problems of the world!! It was a day of memories that I have and will treasure always. I can&&single&&t quite believe she is no longer with us and I miss her and and her wonderful laugh. Rita, Leo and Daddy are now playing cards probably and watching over all of us. Know that you are all in my prayers. With love, Jade and Marg Ryan-MacRae. P.S. Aunt Rita still called me Margaret Rose. What a lady!!!

Leave a Condolence

Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Flower

Submit a Donation

  • Your payment options will be emailed to you.
  • Hidden
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Instructions to Leave a Condolence

First, locate the condolence form on the left side of this page and below all of the other condolences. Then you will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone). Once you are finished typing your message, simply click the submit condolence button. It may take up to 24 hours for your message to appear.

Leave Us A Review

Tell us about your Haskett Funeral Home Experience

Leave Us A Review

Have the Talk of a Lifetime Logo

Like us on Facebook

Like us on FacebookHaskettfh

News & Events

Live Streaming

All-encompassing Aftercare Program

Need Directions?

More Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Haskett Funeral Homes, 456 Main Street South, Box 1390, Exeter, Ontario N0M 1S7, Canada - Phone: 519-235-1220
Haskett Funeral Homes, 223 Main Street, Box 130, Lucan, Ontario N0M 2J0, Canada - Phone: 519-227-4211
Haskett Funeral Homes, 87 Goderich Street West, Box 1060, Seaforth, Ontario N0K 1W0, Canada - Phone: 519-527-1390
Haskett Funeral Homes, 49 Goshen Street North, Zurich, Ontario N0M 2T0, Canada - Phone: 519-236-4365
Email: info@haskettfh.com

Copyright © 2025 Haskett Funeral Homes , All rights reserved.

Contact | Directions | Obituaries | Funeral Pre-Planning | Site Map | Exeter & Lucan Ontario Funeral Homes | Website by FRM Websites

AftercareEssentials Only

Our Essentials-Only service does not include our full in-person Aftercare. We provide you with the forms required to apply for the CPP Death Benefit along with our C.A.R.E. Guide checklist.

Are you curious what our full Aftercare Service offers...?

AftercareOur Complete Aftercare Service

Screenshot 31

Memorial Tree

Each year we hold a tree dedication ceremony at Morrison Dam in Exeter. We purchase a tree to be planted in memory of the lives lost from the previous year.

Our Service Coverage Area

Service AreaWe are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).

Potential Additional Transportation Fees

$150 - If transport requires more than one person, additional fee charged per person required
$150 - If transport occurs outside Mon-Fri, 9-5 business hours