Rita Valida Legault passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Meadows Care Home in Swift Current on March 4, 2025 at the age of 98.  Rita was born on May 27, 1926 on the family farm near Billimmun, Sask.  She was the third of eight daughters of Jean-Baptiste and Antoinette Brière (née Vachon).

In 1943 their father Jean-Baptiste died of chronic heart failure.  It became very difficult for the girls to survive on a farm that consisted of 480 acres of marginal land.  In 1944, Rita left the farm to attend normal school in Moose Jaw.  Upon completion of the course, she moved to Ponteix where she taught at Atoimah School .  While visiting at her Uncle’s home, she met Pete Legault.

 Rita married Antoine (Pete) Legault on August 4, 1948 in St. Vital, Man.  Together they built a life filled with love and devotion.  They were blessed with 3 children:  Thérèse, Bert and Maria.  After their wedding, they settled on the Legault homestead, 7 miles north of Ponteix.  The following year was one of the driest years on record and they decided to move to Winnipeg.  On the way there, they stopped at her sister’s in Gravelbourg and their daughter Thérèse was born prematurely, weighing just over 3 pounds .The baby  would remain in an incubator for about a month.  They  returned to Ponteix where Pete worked in a local garage. 

In 1966 they became the Esso Agents in Ponteix, Sk.  Pete delivered the fuel and Rita did the accounting, took the orders and dealt with the customers. 

Over the years, the family grew and Rita was a much loved and fun grandmother.  She loved gardening and every year seemed to steal another inch of lawn for her garden.

In 1983 Bert and Paulette moved to Swift Current, Sk. to run the Esso Agency and Pete and Rita decided to move with them.  Both worked for Bert.  Esso brought in computers in the late 80’s and Rita was without a doubt the oldest person to go to Edmonton for training.  She knew about downloads and rebooting long before the rest of us did.

Upon retiring, Rita helped newcomers learn English.  Some of them would remain life long friends.

Rita’s last few years were spent at the Meadows where she received excellent care.  Her faith was deep and unwavering.  She was a friend to many.  She had numerous friends from church and nieces and nephews have shared with us how she was one of their favorite aunts.  She will be missed by many.

Rita leaves behind a legacy of love.  She is survived by her children:  Thérèse/Stewart Schwindt, Bert/Paulette Legault and Maria/Charles Michel.  Her grandchildren: Connie (Michael Blair), James Schwindt, Joël Legault, Brigitte Legault (Dylan Kunz), Janise Michel (Nikolas Swanson)  and great grandchildren, Ezra Blair, Hayden Blair, Ashley Blair , Felicity Kunz, Mercedes Kunz and Julien Kunz. She is also survived by her sisters Claire Brière, Berthe Laflèche, Aline Laflèche and  brother-in-law Louis Laflèche.

Rita is predeceased by her husband Pete Legault, as well as her sisters Thérèse Hamon, Anna Richard, Alma Gauthier, Laurette Brière.  She is also predeceased by her sisters-in-law Annette Brisson, Cécile Roberge and Blanche Berger and brothers-in-law Emile Hamon, Alex Richard, Bernard Gauthier, Martial Laflèche, Leo Roberge, Pete Berger and Philippe Brisson.

The funeral will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church, 1850 Springs Gate, Swift Current, Sk. Following the lunch, Rita will be laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in Ponteix, Sk.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of the Meadows Care Home in Swift Current for their care and support during Rita’s stay with them and especially during this difficult time

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Rita’s name to the Christ the Redeemer Roman Catholic Church Building Fund or the Meadows Auxiliary 491 Curry Cres. Swift Current, SK. S9H 4S3.

To watch livestreaming of the service click on the following link https://boxcast.tv/view/rita-legault-funeral-service-lwhtrafwiiguuklqzubz