It is with much sadness that the family of Rita Ramanaden, age 85, announces her passing on March 26, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Theodore Ramanaden, in January 2021 and her youngest daughter, Trina, in June 2020.

Rita leaves behind a loving family in her daughter Sherine Selvaratnam (Hiran) and her son Isidore Ramanaden; her two granddaughters Sabrina Selvaratnam and Shemara Maier (Pascal); her siblings Primrose Somanader, Joyce Vethanayagam (Rajan), Shanthan Somanader (Savi), Miriam Williams (Rudy) and many nephews, nieces and numerous friends in Calgary, Edmonton and elsewhere whom Rita and Theodore had embraced as family over many years.

Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka to Noel and Fanny Somanader, she moved to Batticaloa with her parents and had her early education at Vincent Girls’ High School and proceeded to Vembadi Girl’s College, Jaffna for her Advanced Level. She earned her B.Sc. at the University of Ceylon and her B.Ed. at the University of Calgary. After marrying Theodore in 1960, they both went to Nigeria where she taught at the Technical College in Enugu.

After leaving Nigeria, they travelled to England from where they immigrated to Canada by ship in 1968, made their way from Eastern Canada to Alberta by train, and made Calgary their home.

Rita was a most hospitable and generous person who helped a number of people in need. She was an avid cook, a great singer and a prayer warrior. She was gifted with many talents that she used for God’s glory.

You are so loved, Rita/ Mom/ Grandma/ Rita Acca/ Aunty, by all your family and friends. We miss you immensely! We are so thankful for the assurance that you belong to Jesus and are with Him and your loved ones in heaven for eternity.

Friday, April 8, 2022: Visitation and Prayer Service

The Visitation and Prayer Service will be held at St James Anglican Church, 6351, Ranchview Drive, N.W, Calgary, Alberta, T3G 1B5 on Friday, April 8, 2022. Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.(MST) followed by a Prayer Service from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (MST).

For those unable to attend, it will be Live Streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/RitaRamanadenFuneral
The Order of Service is available here.

Saturday, April 9, 2022: Funeral Service, Interment, Reception

Funeral Service:

The Funeral Service will be held at St. James Anglican Church, 6351, Ranchview Drive, N.W, Calgary, Alberta, T3G 1B5 on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 11:00 am (MST).

For those unable to attend, the service will be Live Streamed by the church and you will be able to watch it here from 10:30am (MST): https://youtu.be/EJ5ZwRaPzSk
The Order of Service is available here
The Liturgy is available here

Interment:

After the St. James Anglican Church funeral service ends, we ask you to come back to this page where a live stream link; https://www.facebook.com/RitaRamanadenFuneral, will commence again and continue as the funeral procession leaves the church for the Interment at the Queen’s Park Cemetery, 3219, 4th Street, N.W, Calgary, Alberta. The livestream will end after the Interment service at the Cemetery.

Reception:

There will be a short reception in the St. James Anglican Church Hall at 5:00 p.m - 7:00p.m. (MST), following the interment at the Queen’s Park Cemetery.

For anyone who would like to learn more about Jesus, or anything mentioned in these services or outside of it, you are welcome to contact Rev. Dane Neufeld at the St. James Anglican Church.
Their website has contact information available, https://www.stjamescalgary.com





In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rita’s memory directly to:

Every Home for Christ International/Canada
P.O. Box 3636
Guelph, Ontario N1H 7S2
Canada Phone: +1 (519) 837- 2010 or 1800 265 7326
https://donate.ehc.ca/

or

Our Daily Bread Ministries
P.O. Box 1622
Windsor, Ontario N9A 6Z7
Canada Phone: +1 (519) 956 – 2400
https://ourdailybread.ca/donate-2/

or

Children Believe
1200 Denison Street
Markham, Ontario,
L3R 8G6
(905) 754-1001 or 1-800-263-5437
https://childrenbelieve.ca/donation-button-page/

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.