Rita (Dyson) Finney

Rita Dyson Finney

North Sydney

It is with great sadness and sorrow, we announce the death of my dear mother, Rita Dyson-Finney, at the age of 92, after a lengthy illness on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Northside Guest Community Guest Home where she resided for the past four years.

Born in Leigh, Lancashire, England on July 11, 1925, Rita was the only child of the late Thomas and Rita (Walker) Dyson.  Rita’s mom died at a very young age and many years later her dad Thomas remarried Rose (Causing) Dyson.

Rita came to Canada in 1945, as a young war bride of George Edward Finney of Sydney Mines.  Rita kept in touch with many other war brides over the years and they met on a regular basis until many were too old or had passed away themselves.  Over the years mom kept herself busy working at Harbourview Hospital as a practical nurse for 18 ½ years and then did some volunteer work at both the Northside General Hospital and the Northside Community Guest Home.  Mom also taught many older people who could not read, using the program Each One, Teach One.  She was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 8, in Sydney Mines until her illness took over.  She also loved and belonged to the Children’s Wish Foundation in the very beginning and the Canadian Cancer Society.  Mom was a member of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, North Sydney.

Leaving to grieve her loss is her only child, Moya Finney-Marsh and son-in-law Ted Marsh, her two grandsons, Paul Marsh, living in London, England and Adam Marsh, living in Red Deer, Alberta.  Mom cherished her two grandsons deeply.  Also dear to her was Adam’s wife, Maria Bayona-Marsh and their two children Vincent and Ty Nathaniel.  Meeting her great-grandchildren was so surreal for Mom.

Besides her parents, Rita was predeceased by her husband George Edward Finney.

There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place.  A funeral service and celebration of Rita’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church with Rev. Julio Martin officiating.  A reception will follow in the church hall.  Burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made St. John Anglican Church Fund, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the S.PC.A. or the Canadian Cancer Society.  Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.

God saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around you

And whispered “Come to Me.”

With tearful eyes we watched you,

And saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

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