Mrs. Rita Goral, age 89 years, passed away peacefully at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Sunday, December 30, 2018 following a brief illness.
Rita was born in Thunder Bay's East End to Lorenzo and Angelina Bortolon. She grew up with four sisters and two brothers and a large extended family. She married Roman Goral in 1955 and they raised three children. Rita lived in the family home in Westfort up until the weeks before her passing. Rita spent most of her time gardening, baking, talking on the phone, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the Catholic Women's League for 37 years and an active member of St. Agnes Church for over 50 years.
Rita is survived by her daughter Joanne of Victoria, B.C., her son Paul (Kathy), granddaughters Brittney and Robyn (C.J.) and their mother Donna, daughter-in-law Angela (Peter) and granddaughters Adena (Devan), Bethany, Faryn, and Chloe, sisters Elsie and Melvina, brothers Albert (Pam) and Ron, and numerous other relatives and friends. Rita was predeceased by her parents, Lorenzo and Angelina Bortolon, her sisters Flora and Yolanda, her husband Roman in 2007, and her son Christopher in 1996.
As per Rita's wishes, cremation has taken place. Funeral Mass for Rita will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Agnes Church celebrated by Rev. Marco Ladao. Private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the staff, nurses, and doctors on 1A at TBRHSC for the care that Rita received during her short time there. The family would also like to extend their appreciation to all of the family and friends who visited Rita in the hospital to keep her spirits up.
