The Cook family wishes to announce the passing of Rita Marie on September 11, 2015 in her 85th year at Stratford General Hospital. She was accompanied on her journey soon thereafter by her husband Russell George who passed away at Victoria Hospital, suddenly, on September 14, 2015 in his 88th year. Rita was born in Astorville, Ontario, she was the daughter of the late Adolphis Groulx and the former Alma Ouellette. Russell was born in North Easthope Township and was the son of the late William Cook and the former Ethel Walpole. She and Russell were married on October 18, 1952. Dear parents of Wayne Cook and wife Cathy of R.R. 2 Zurich, Bruce and wife Ilya of R.R. 1 Stratford, Lena Brenneman and husband Dan of Tavistock and Sherry Waite and husband Joe of Fenelon Falls. Rita and Russell had eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Rita is survived by three sisters and two brothers. Rita was predeceased by five brothers and four sisters, as well as several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Russell was predeceased by four brothers and five sisters. Besides his siblings, Russell was also predeceased by several brothers and sisters-in-law. Rita and Russell are survived by Helen Cook as well as several nieces, nephews and their families. As a celebration of two lives well lived, friends and relatives may call at the James A. Rutherford Funeral Home, 156 Albert Street, Stratford, on Thursday, September 17, 2015 from 6:00 till 9:00 p.m. as well as on Friday, September 18, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Interment will be in Avondale Cemetery, Stratford.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind or Robarts School for the Deaf, through the funeral home at 519-271-5062. www.jarfh.com
