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Passed away on Friday, June 15th, 2018. Rita was the beloved Wife of Gord (1997), the loving Mother to Kim Hansell (Ron) of Fonthill, Ontario, Cameron Campbell (Elena) of Penticton, BC. Grandmother to Matthew (Sarah), Brock (Ashley), C.J. and Madison. Great-grandmother to Hudson.

Tony Saxon of Guelph Today said it best: “Mom never scored a goal or made a big save. She never coached or owned a junior team and you won't find her name on any trophy." But you would be hard pressed to find a more recognizable face when it comes to hockey in the Royal City. For 66 years Mom worked as an usher and greeter at the old Memorial Gardens and later at the Sleeman Centre, known to many as 'The Pin Lady' for the hundreds of pins she collected and displayed on her jacket and later on her Guelph Storm scarf. Impeccably dressed with not a hair out of place, she was the warm face that greeted fans as they entered the rink, usually with a "How you doin' hon?" If a kid didn't have enough money to get in. Sometimes Mom turned a blind eye and let them sneak in. She scolded generations of children for acting up in the hallway, dealt with patrons that had one too many, broke up fights, confiscated booze and even waded in when an on-ice fracas spilled over into the stands.

One of 14 children, Mom got her start as a teenager working as an usher at the old Odeon Theatre in Downtown Guelph before moving over to Memorial Gardens when it opened in 1948. Over the years she rubbed shoulders with countless celebrities, billeted numerous players who she called her "boys" and got to know the countless scouts that came through the door by first name and who they worked for. One of her favourites was legendary Toronto Maple Leaf George Armstrong. When she stopped working for the city, she joined the Guelph Storm staff as an ambassador for games. Mom retired in 2012 and for the past few years was living in Fonthill to be closer to her family. She was at the rink night in and night out. Hockey, roller skating, wrestling, home shows, stag and does in the licensed Attic Hall at the rink. She even had her own set of keys to the rink at one point.

We had to share Mom with so many but we knew she had enough love for everyone. A celebration of Rita’s life will be held on Wednesday, June 20th, 2018 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 21st at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of Our Lady, 28 Norfolk St., Guelph. Entombment at Marymount Cemetery. Reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers please make donations to “Guelph Minor Hockey” so that all children regardless of family background have the opportunity to play. Donations cards available at the funeral home (519-821-5077).



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