Aug. 21, 1915 - Jan. 15, 2009
Rita was born at 150 Mile House when it was a highway stopping house run by the Hamilton family. She spent the first half of her life living in the Cariboo. She was crowned the Williams Lake Stampede Queen in 1935 where she caught the eye of Hilary Place whom she would marry in 1942. In 1970 Rita and Hilary moved to Vancouver where they lived until his death in 2004. Rita then went to live in Calgary with Adrian and Linda. She passed away in Calgary, at age 93, in the arms of her loving granddaughter, Raylene Habstritt. Rita is survived by her four sons, Lawrence Eagle (Helen), Green Lake. Adrian Place (Linda) Calgary, Martin Place (Bev) and Carmen Place (Kathie) North Vancouver. Her grandchildren, Quinton Eagle (Donna), Vancouver; Michael Eagle (Shari), Surrey; Raylene Habstritt (Greg), Renelle Kittle (Gray), Rylea Place, all of Calgary; Sara Place (Peter) and Logan Place, North Vancouver and three great-grandchildren, Cooper Habstritt, Reese and Skene Kittle. Rita was predeceased by her husband Hilary, granddaughter Cecilia and daughter-in-law Lorraine, brothers and sister Buster and Mary Hamilton and Alfy and Clifford Eagle. Rita was very proud of her Pioneer and Native heritage. She had many lifelong friends at Dog Creek, Alkali Lake, Canoe Creek and Canim Lake reserves. She came from a long-time Cariboo family. Her grandparents were Mary Kuslips of Alkali Lake Reserve and Augustine Boitano of Italy, who resided at Springhouse. The family would like to thank Lori Wasacase and Winny Nightwalker for assisting Adrian and Linda with the loving care they gave Rita over the last five years. There will be a gathering to honour Rita and Hilary at the next family reunion in August, 2010 at Lac La Hache B.C.