Rita Marguerite Dempsey

After a long and remarkable life, Rita Marguerite Dempsey (nee Woods) passed away suddenly on March 7, 2025, predeceased by her beloved husband Charles Stuart Dempsey and survived by her son Andrew, and devoted daughter Alison.

Rita was born in Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, England. She graduated from Wallington Grammar School and University College, London. Growing up near London, Rita embraced the history, art, music, and culture of that wonderful city where her father, William E.R. Woods, was a civil servant. From her earliest memory, Rita recalled her mother, Dorothy Louise, having the unenviable task of taking three small girls – Rita and her two older sisters – up to London on the train where they spent hours exploring the museums, cathedrals, galleries, and parks of the city that forever held her heart.

Rita immigrated to Canada in 1957, first to Montreal and then to Toronto where she met, and married Charles and their two children were born. Rita worked as an office administrator, executive assistant, and court reporter before she married and supported Charles in his professional engineering career of nearly 50 years. In 1967, a career move took the family to Vancouver, where they enjoyed an idyllic time in a climate reminiscent of England, close to the ocean, the rainforest, and the coastal mountains. Another move, and Calgary became home for 35 years until Charles’ sudden passing in 2008 and Rita’s decision to move back to the west coast to be closer to Alison.

Always vital and intrepid, Rita’s ‘Calgary years’ were filled with activity ranging from cross country and downhill skiing and hiking in the magnificent Rockies, to tennis at the Elbow Park Tennis Club, Pilates, coaching field hockey, membership in numerous associations, and volunteering at her children’s schools, and the Calgary Home & School Association as part of her dedication to learning, parenting, and education.

In 1983, Rita was elected to the Calgary Public School Board, serving as Trustee and Chair when it was the largest public-school board in Canada. Rita was passionate and committed to the core philosophy of public education: for children of any background to have the opportunity to learn, to respect, to contribute, and to fulfill their potential with non-judgmental supports enabling them to do so nourished, safe, and without discrimination. She truly believed that ‘every child is special’. An avid reader, Rita also believed in the lifelong importance of literacy.

After three consecutive terms as School Board Trustee, Rita was invited to serve on the Boards of the Calgary Public Library, the Science Centre, Calgary Parks and Recreation, and boards and executive of various civic and provincial associations.

In retirement, Rita and Charles continued their love of travel. After Charles’ passing, Rita enjoyed many wonderful trips with Alison. Walking remained one of her most favourite things to do, and once back on the west coast it was a year-round activity exploring neighbourhoods, seaside paths, and public gardens almost daily until her last weeks.

Rita’s capacity for engaging intelligently on any topic, her empathy and ability to listen, her quick wit, her courage, strength and tenacity, her generosity, and her gentleness will always be remembered. Her eternal youthfulness is a model to which many aspire.

A Celebration of Life on March 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm will be held at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Rita’s memory can be made to the Salvation Army (salvation armyvancouver.com) or CNIB Guide Dogs (SponsorPuppies.ca).