Good morning friends, family and acquaintances. Today is a day of deep reflection. I never believed that this chapter would be written so early in our family's life. It's the kind of story you read about or hear happening to others, but never to you.

I'd like to share some thoughts with you about my sister Rita, although there is neither enough time nor enough words to describe how an exceptional person she really was. The outpouring of love and respect from everyone here today speaks volumes of how many people she's touched in only 38 short years of her life.

The last time I was in front of a gathering of people to talk about my sister Rita was on September 13, 1986 on her wedding day. The next date I anticipated to be paying tribute to her would have been next year on her 40th birthday, whereby a big party was in order. Never, in my wildest dreams did I think to be in front of you today under these circumstances.

The special bond with my sister began when I was 4 years old and my parents asked me to name her. And so, I chose the name Rita. It was a special name for a person who would grow up to be my sister and a very close friend. And little did I know then that this name would eventually shape her character.

We grew up like most brothers and sisters. Sure, we fought and we tattle tailed on eachother. We were a normal pair of siblings. Wrestling was part of our life and we did a lot of that during the days of Whipper Billy Watson, Sweet Daddy Siki and Gene Keneski. Her nickname was Reg or Reggie and she was Reginald Love from the team of Reginald and Hartford Love, 'The Love Brothers'. Hockey was also part of our lives. I can remember the times downstairs our tiny basement on Old Weston Rd., where I would use her as a goalie and put her in net while I practiced on my hockey skills and ripped shots at her with the tennis balls. Little did I know that this would help build her inner strength and character for when she would need it most.

As we matured, we continued to grow together with a lot of love and deep respect for one another. I included her in my circle of friends and took her to the disco clubs where we bonded in a social environment. We even traveled just her and I back in 1981 when she was 19 years old. We went to Italy and England and vacationed for 6 weeks visiting our relatives. And yes, we were still friends when we came back from that excursion. In fact, that brought us even closer. Ozzie, I hope you grow up to be very close to your little sister and brother just like your Mom and I did.

Rita reminded me so much of the pop singer Madonna. She had many different looks in her life, each one more beautiful than the other. But the common thread in her appearance and personality was that bright glowing smile filled with cheer and happiness! She was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

Rita was very loyal, not only to her friends but also to her employer. After graduating in 1983 she went on to work for Canadian Tire's Head Office team. That's almost 20 years of service and a career dedicated exclusively to them. She designed the 75th anniversary logo and unfortunately did not make it to come even close to living to that age.

In 1986 she began a new chapter in her life with her wonderful husband Eddie. They were a special couple and were tailor made for eachother. She brought 3 beautiful and charming children into this world; Ozzie, Alannah & Edward who will now grow up to carry on her legacy.

But, in October 1998, the whole world came crumbling down. The three most feared words in your life… 'You Have Cancer'. Not only do you have breast cancer, but it is also the worst and most aggressive of its kind. I remember Eddie saying, "it's like winning the lottery, but it's not the kind of lottery you want to win". Less than 4% get this type and the odds were less than 2% that she would have survived the 6 months of treatment and surgery. You can bet that if Rita were stricken with the other more common 96% that most women get, she'd still be with us today!

There is a saying, which says…. "It's not what happens to you in life that matters, it's how you react to what's happened". Upon being informed of her condition, the doctors delivering the bad news began to tear up and cry. And what does Rita do? She goes up and comforts them, letting them know that she is going to overcome this nasty disease and win the battle. She had the greatest attitude and demonstrated unbelievable tremendous courage. She was brave and resilient! She was an inspiration to us all. She beat the initial odds and extended her life on earth only for the enemy to return and give her another battle.

And so today, the biggest question everyone is asking is the obvious….WHY? Is it fate, destiny, bad luck? My mother lost her mother who was at the tender age of 38 from an unknown cause. My mother was only 5 years old at the time. The irony, Rita was 38 and she has Alannah who is 5 years old. Is history repeating itself or is this just a coincidence? Or, is this God's way?

Every day we make thousands of little decisions in our life. Rita had clearly made her biggest decision in her fight against cancer. There was no question in her mind that she was going to beat this cancer and survive. She chose to live! Even until her last days, the doctors were amazed at her will to survive and the fight she was putting up. But in the end, it was really not her decision at all. It was God's! He was the one who ultimately made the decision. They say that God only takes the people he needs… well, He must have a need for an exceptional graphic designer up there.

Rita was a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a cousin, a goddaughter, a niece, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a daughter-in-law, a sister-in-law, a godmother, a comare, a sponsor and a friend or companion to hundreds more. She did not have the opportunity in her life here on earth to become a mother-in-law or a grandmother. Rita will now be reunited with her grandmother Nonna Carmela, my mother's mom (whom my mother never knew and has no memories or pictures of her). Ma, she will now get to see your mom before you. She'll be with her grandfather Nonna Tonino, my mother's dad, Zia Rica my mother's aunt who raised her, Zia Rosalina my mother's stepmother and of course Zio Pasquale and Zia Concetto my mother's 2 brothers. She'll also be with her grandmother Nonna Amorina, my dad's mother. And of course, there's Lady Diana. Move over Lady Di, here comes Rita!

And so today, we begin a new chapter in our life without the physical presence of my beloved sister Rita but with her spiritual presence - we restructure our family and go on another journey. Eddie, we will all be there for you and the children - I'll need for you to step in now to be my brother since I no longer have my sister. Ozzie, your mom will be your 'Special Angel' and will be cheering from seats higher up above. When you shoot the puck wide, your mom will step in to redirect that shot on net and into the goal. For Alannah, don't worry Eddie, Rita will slip some directions to you on how to do her hair each morning. And for Edward who cries out 'I NEED my mom', not 'I want my mom', Rita will come to his rescue more swiftly through you in more ways than one.

At this time, I'd like to read the following words from Irene, one of Rita's good friends and a comara:

"Rita approached each dream in her life with the same conviction. From painting a pot to fulfilling her role as a mother. Rita dedicated herself to each task at hand with the same focus and drive. That same drive was heightened when doing things for others, which she very often did. While many of us show our children to bed as quickly as possible at the end of the day, Rita took her time to read the bedtime stories, answered the questions and gave the hugs and kisses, never short changing those around her. Rita was late for everything, most of us believed she had no sense of time. Looking back on her life, I realize now that she is probably the only one that had the best sense of time. The now and the here is how Rita lived each day. If Rita thought that something was worth doing, then it was worth doing right. If she said I'll be done by 10, you knew that come 1 a.m. everyone else would be sleeping on the couch and Rita was still going to achieve perfection.

Rita had this amazing ability to attract and draw people to her. She had this naivete about people that you do not find in adults. Rita always preferred to find the good. Luckily God was watching and they were always good people He sent. Once you knew her, you were stuck to her. She never forgot a face, a name, a birthday or an anniversary. She always asked about your children, your parents and your friends. And, if she couldn't ask in person, then she would just as easily send a card. One of her most important achievements in her life was her journey into the hearts of all the people here that have come to pay tribute to her today.

Rita had the ability to listen to people. She wanted to help in any way that she could, always finding the silver lining in every cloud and never judging those around her.

Rita was a remarkable person who in her very short time with us made an amazing impact on all our lives. Many of us are better people today for having known Rita. She gave so much to everyone around her, her family, friends or acquaintances. There were never any boundaries with Rita. It is for that reason that I ask we all support Rita's family while she gives them strength to live on. I ask that we remember her to her children in ways that Ozzie, Alannah and Edward will never know her. I ask that we talk to her family about her, reminiscing about the good memories will help heal the pain. I ask that you pray to her, because Rita was a good listener and will now continue to listen. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."