Rita Marie Antoinette (Archambault) MacLaren was born in St. Rose du Lac, Manitoba on August 24, 1922, to Georges and Marie Louise Archambault, the 11th of 13 children. Her family moved to the Creston Valley, BC in 1929. At age 17 she met Harold MacLaren and they were married on October 29, 1941. Their 6 children were all born in Creston. In 1966, Harold and Rita, wanting a change of scenery for their family, moved to Dawson Creek, where Harold taughtat Central School until his death in 1975.

Rita was a proud homemaker. In the early years of her marriage she canned and pickled all fall so that her family would be able to enjoy their harvest long into the winter months. She was an enthusiastic gardener, with the brightest flowers and the best tomatoes on the block.  Later, as the family home began to thin out and the kids moved to their own homes, she still baked bread every week and cookies for whomever dropped by. Grandma’s house was always party central. She loved to have family around her and holiday times were her favourite. She would begin to plan for Christmas in about October, carefully selecting gifts for all her children, their spouses and her grandchildren, then baking and decorating so everything would be perfect. Camping trips were always a favourite activity, first with everyone in a canvas tent, then in a series of tent trailers (a big step up from sleeping on the ground).  Mom camped right up to her 79th birthday.  Another lifelong passion was singing.  When she was a teenager she sang in the church choir in Creston.  Later on she sang with enthusiasm from the pews and constantly around the house for as long as she was able.  

A special thank you to Sharon and the nurses and doctors at the Queen Elizabeth II Mackenzie Place, for their dedicated care in Mom’s final years.

Mom passed away in Grande Prairie on May 13, 2009, with her family by her side.

Rita was predeceased by her parents Georges and Marie Louise, 10 brothers and sisters; her husband Harold, and her daughter Cecile Osborne in 2004.  Rita will be lovingly remembered by her children; Sharon Dahlen, Allan (Karen) MacLaren, Wayne (Gail) MacLaren, Donna Dennis, and Melanie (Gerald) Triebel; grandchildren Kimberlie Osborne-Boraas, Amanda and Lisa Osborne; Sienna and Mathieu Dahlen; Janelle and Shaun MacLaren; Trenton MacLaren, Karri MacLaren-Stoppler and Natalie MacLaren; Jordan and Tyler Dennis; Andrew, Brandon, Caitlyn and Ethan Triebel; five great grandchildren; and her sisters Alma Walls and Sr. Therese Archambault.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on May 19, 2009 at 11:00 am at the Notre Dame Catholic Church. Fr. David John officiated. Interment followed in the Dawson Creek City Cemetery Columbarium.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Rita to the Canadian Diabetes Association

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.