La Manzanilla Message Board Archives

La Manzanilla Message Board Archives

Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Cruz G, cruzio13@gmail.com on December 26, 2020, 9:46 am

My dear, dear friend Rita is gone, she passed last night. I will write more as I get more information. I'm so, so sad. Cruz

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Murray and Beth on December 26, 2020, 10:01 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

That is so so sad, Rita was truly the gem of La Manzanilla...such a warm and friendly soul. We'll treasure our times with her. Our deepest condolences to her family.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by STephanie on December 26, 2020, 10:03 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Oh so very heartbreaking to hear this ...a tremendous loss to LM and her friends here! She was a true treasure with kind words and warm heart! I am very sad as well Cruz!

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Cyndi Coates on December 26, 2020, 10:23 am, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

I am so, so sad. The stories were wonderful and endless. There are many words that she brings to mind: warm, loving, laughing, happy, funny, beautiful, giving, patient, generous, stubborn (aren't we all) and the list goes on; She was a fantastic teacher to all as well as friend and mother. La Manzanilla will never be the same without her smile for me. I am so glad she is a part of my story. I will miss her always.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Rebecc A on December 26, 2020, 10:08 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Beauty above her
Beauty below her
Beauty surrounds her
Light leads her
Light surrounds her
She shares her light with us

Condolences Cruz and to all of her friends and family. She was a light in our community and through her shared stories and generosity will live on
❤️

Does anyone have a nice picture of Rita they could add to the thread?

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Cyndi Coates on December 26, 2020, 10:50 am, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Rennie on December 26, 2020, 10:25 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Cruz, I am so sorry to read this. My deepest condolences, I know you will miss her greatly.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Carol on December 26, 2020, 10:42 am, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Trying to post a photo of Rita

Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by david dagoli on December 26, 2020, 11:04 am, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

So very sad, she was a one-of-a-kind woman. We remember her from our early days when we first moved here. Rita was caring for our neighbour Steve's baby girl, and she was so doting and wonderful with her. It was a marvel to watch the two of them fall in love with each other.

Rita recounted many stories of the old days in La Manzanilla, always with humour and love. She was a stellar human being, you don’t meet someone like this very often. RIP lovely lady.

PS - I will look for photos of her...and I think I remember doing a 'Humans of La Manzanilla' about her...

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Cruz G on December 26, 2020, 10:55 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

The family is with Rita, in front of her house, a block before the primary school. You are invited to accompany them

Rita looks like she is resting peacefully, bless her soul. There will be a mass at 3:30 and then we take her to the cemetery for burial.

My friend is irreplaceable and I still can't/won't believe that she is gone. Cruz

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Cyndi Coates on December 26, 2020, 10:55 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Joanne on December 26, 2020, 11:36 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Cruz, I know you and Rita were sisters of the heart. I am so sorry for you, for Rita’s family and for this community who loved her so dearly.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Carol L. on December 26, 2020, 12:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Thanks for posting that picture, Cyndi, That’s our spirited Rita, for sure!

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Patricia Regla on January 2, 2021, 2:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

RIP RITA Siempre serás parte de las historias de La Manzanilla.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by mary shanti on December 26, 2020, 12:23 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Cruz;
My heart is with you Cruz and as Rita rests in Peace she will always be alive and well in your heart. She will never truly leave you as the part of her that you loved and cherished so much is left in your heart to cherish and bless your days.
There are no words to get thru this easier, so please know that you were such a good friend and one that she treasured. I will hold you in my prayers as you walk this path with your heart full of love for Rita.
Bless you dear friend

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Valerie D on December 26, 2020, 12:43 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

I will miss my friend greatly - there are no words to express the depth of my sadness, nor the extent if my expression of condolences to her family.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Laurisa on December 26, 2020, 1:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

I am so sad and shocked. My heart goes out to you Cruz and her family. You were more than friends...you were sisters of the soul. It is at least comforting that she was at home with family, friends and love all around her. She was a sparkle of brightness and light.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by david dagoli on December 26, 2020, 1:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Here are photos I took on November 2, 2018 - Dia de Muertos. Rita was walking over the suspension bridge to the pantheon with wreaths that she told me made herself. I offered to help her and she said 'No, es mi peregrinación'.

A beautiful soul, we will miss her smiling face.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Nansee on December 26, 2020, 2:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Rita entertains a rapt crowd at Casa Luz. She was a treasure!

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Vicki Mercer on December 26, 2020, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Oh my. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, Cruz.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Linda Mandala on December 26, 2020, 3:24 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

It is always somhard to lose our beloved friends and family...Rita was an amazing woman and will be greatly missed by many many family and friends .Holding you in my heart Cruz...I know you had such a special bond with Rita....as did many.
Linda

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Judith Boel on December 26, 2020, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Oh Cruz! Querida amiga! Rita and I were neighbors. I used to sneak up on Rita and call out..."Rita, Rita bonita!" and she would laugh. A big part of the town's history is gone from us. George and I hold you in our hearts. Here is a favorite quote. May it give your heart some balm. "All the love, all the dead, all the people we've ever met. They are the rivers that feed our sea of souls. If we refuse to remember them, that sea will also dry up "(Nina George) What is remembered lives. I wish I could hug you, dear friend.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Lynne W on December 26, 2020, 7:41 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

I had planned to follow Jeanne's suggestion and visit Rita this morning, until I received a text from Cruz informing me that she was already gone. So instead I went to her house and said "adios" to Rita's peaceful face through the glass of the casket, instinctively making the sign of the cross, as if I were my Catholic grandmother, because Rita was so devout...as well as warm, loving, talented, and a truly wonderful spirit. Several beloved beings have departed my life in the past few weeks, but Rita's passing was DEMASIADO. I went home and cried all afternoon. Bless you, Rita. Bless you, Cruz.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Myranda and Mike on December 27, 2020, 10:55 am, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

We are so very sad and our love goes out to Coco and Rita's family and to you, dearest Cruzita. I remember so many celebrations with you, Rita and Coco. She never spoke any English to me and that forced me to use my clumsy Spanish. She was such a patient and kind teacher. One thing that I did not know is that Rita was a midwife and helped to birth many of the residents of LM and said she "never lost a one". She was a heroine who hid her talents under the title of "nurse" at the clinic as midwifery was not recognized as a legitimate profession. One of my favorite stories of the many that she told was of a shipwrecked cruise ship out in the bay. Apparently, all passengers and their luggage were safely ferried ashore before the majestic ship sank. For many weeks after, parts of the ship would wash ashore. One such item was a heavy metal post that now holds up the clothesline at our casa! We will miss her bright smile.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Tammy & Tom Cowan on December 27, 2020, 7:26 pm, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

We are so sad to hear of Rita's passing. She was
always a beautiful ray of sunshine when we met each year at Cruz's. We will miss her hugs and kisses.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Nancy & Larry Chamberlain on December 28, 2020, 10:10 am, in reply to "Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

We chatted with Rita for 20+years. She was so kind, friendly and totally delightful. Always had a smile. I feel so sad, but grateful to have known her.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Wendy Joscelyn on December 28, 2020, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

I Will miss Rita's story telling, with so much animation. at Crocodile Bar. Life well lived and well loved. I am so,so sorry for your loss Cruz, Coco and Rita's family.

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Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere

Posted by Carol L. on December 30, 2020, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Rita has gone to tell her stories elsewhere"

Here’s a video you’ll enjoy

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