Obituary – Rita McLean, 77
August 10th, 1923 – March 26th, 2011
A memorial service was held Saturday, April 9, 2011 for Rita McLean, born Rita Juanita Parker on August 10, 1923 to Jim and Carrie Parker of Hanna, Alberta. Mom grew up with siblings Harry, Winnie, Ben, Tom, Jim, Carrie, Kay, Alvin, and Frank in humble surroundings. It was that meager beginning, however, that no doubt contributed to the resolve she had for embracing hard work, overcoming obstacles, minimizing setbacks, and above all, celebrating holidays and life’s milestones in grand fashion. She was a strong, determined, resourceful woman and an inspiration to all of us. In 1941, when Mom was 18, she came up to Old Fort Nelson to work at the Callison Lodge for Sister Winnie & her husband Lash. A few months later her mother passed away, and she moved back to Hanna to take over the role of Mom to her younger siblings Kay, Alvin, and Frank. It was in those early years that the Parker family balanced hard work with their love for music. They sang, danced, played music and cards, and hosted parties in their home. When Mom was 26 she met Logan, and seven children were born between 1951 and 1963. In December 1955 they relocated to Fort Nelson where most of the Parker families had already found work. The Parker clan in Fort Nelson was comprised of Parker’s, Meeres’, Dolan’s and McLean’s. The aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins in Fort Nelson were a close-knit family, and the get-togethers continued as we would pick berries, play games, enjoy feasts and, of course, make music! Mom was known for her homemade bread and buns, baked beans, cabbage rolls, and turkey dinners. When Dad started our family band in 1968 she came up with the name of “The Brothers and The Sisters.” As her children, we remember having to sing a song or perform for any visitors in the family living room which housed the instruments. She considered raising the family her greatest accomplishment, and this continued on with her grandchildren. There was never a dull moment at Grandma’s house. When the grandkids were old enough, Mom set up her own theatre in the living room so they could put on plays, skits, and talent shows. She taught us many card games, and we were regularly trounced by her in word games such as Scrabble, Probe and Password. When there was no one around to play with, she did countless jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Around 1980 when she was running out of babies to raise, Mom started raising goats for pets and became known as “the goat lady” to some, delivering goat’s milk around town to several families who had allergies to cow’s milk. She was proud of her herds and loved to have the children come to the pens to see the new little kids kicking up their heels in the Spring. She also liked having pet chickens, rabbits, geese, and birds, and probably would have liked to branch out even further with her menagerie. After Dad passed away in 1995, Mom carried on for almost 16 years loving life and making the most of it through her love of family, animals, games, music, and general shenanigans. In 2003 Mom was diagnosed with cancer, but she fought hard against it, astonishing most of the medical professionals with her resilience and fortitude over seven more years. She seemed larger than life to us, and we are fortunate to have had her as our mother and grandmother. The determination, courage and strength she displayed throughout her life is something we will always remember and cherish. She will be greatly missed by children Randy & Olive McLean, Tim & Sandy McLean, Cindy & John Wells, Laurie McLean, Tyler & Cheryl McLean, Erin & Kevin Johnson, Marcy & Gene Sheppard, Brian & Maria McLean and families. PREDECEASED BY: Parents James and Carrie Parker; husband Oliver Logan McLean; grandchild Merri McLean; sisters Marion Parker, Winnie Callison, and Kay Dolan; brothers Ray, Harry, Ben, Tom, and Jim Parker; in-laws Lash Callison, Marion (Charley) Whaley, Nancy Parker, and Stan Meeres; nephews Grant Callison and Pat Dolan; nieces Marilyn Cooper, Deborah Miller, and Vanessa Dolan; great nephew Blake Cooper; cousins Hale (Alvina) Parker, Faith (Percy) Fell and their daughter Judy, and Bob (Gwen) Parker. We are thankful for the care Mom received from Dr. Mostert and the Home Care nurses who enabled Mom to pass away peacefully in her own home. We would also like to recognize and thank Ed Bulley and staff of the Woodlands Inn for their support. Lastly, thanks to those of you who attended the service, for all expressions of sympathy, and for contributions made in memory of Mom to either the trust fund set up for our new cousin, Seamus Dolan, or to the Northern Rockies Senior Society. The McLean families.
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