BINGHAM Rita Louise (nee Steeves)
Feb. 21, 1920 ~ Feb. 3, 2013
Rita passed away peacefully on February 3 at Blenheim Lodge, Vancouver in her 93rd year. She is survived by her children, Paul (Rosemary), David (Linda), Doug (Jan), Don (Wendy), and Beverley Dodd (Chris). Rita is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Rita was born in the family home on 8th Ave. Vancouver and remained very close to her parents, Harry & Sadie Steeves, and her siblings Bud, Jack and Shirley. Following graduation from Kitsilano High School in 1938, she attended the Vancouver Normal School and taught school briefly in Chimney Creek, near Williams Lake, and Port Mellon. In 1943, Rita married Fred Bingham and they moved to Abbotsford in 1951. Rita taught in the Abbotsford School District for many years and was an active member of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Rita and Fred also supported Maranatha Baptist Church. Fred passed away in 2003 and Rita moved back to Vancouver in 2004, where she made many friends and enjoyed her new church, Kitsilano Christian Community Church. Keats Island and Keats Camps were an important part of Rita's life for over 80 years. She first visited Keats in 1928, and owned cottages there with her family for the rest of her life. She attended the camp as a camper and later as a leader and director, and was very proud that many of her children and grandchildren worked and volunteered at the camp. Rita greatly enjoyed family times and the beauty of Keats up until her 92nd year. She is fondly remembered at Keats for her lovely garden as well as her hospitality and many projects to improve the cottage. Rita was a patient, kind, supportive and loving friend and a respected role model for her family; she will be missed. We feel blessed that we were able to share her life for so long. The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to Doug and Jan Bingham for their care and support of Rita over the past 8 years. Many thanks also to Liz Gardner for her friendship and service, and the staff at Blenheim Lodge for their kindnesses and excellent care during the past year. A celebration of Rita's life will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Fairview Baptist Church, 1708 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver BC. In lieu of flowers, donations to Keats Camps, #100-657 Marine Drive, West Vancouver BC, V7T 1A4, or to Kitsilano Christian Community Church, 1708 West 16th Ave., Vancouver BC V6J 2M1, would be appreciated.