We Remember
MCNEILL, Ruth Sigbritt
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Ruth Sigbritt Ingeborg McNeill whom we all know as Britta passed away February the 22nd this year in the middle of the night in her sleep. She had been suffering from Cancer which was discovered in the spring 2013. She was treated for it but unfortunately too late.
Britta was born in a small town called Borgå, in Finland 1926.
She graduated from high school and was educated as a physiotherapist.
In the 50´s she and her husband Donald moved to Canada where she became instrumental in evolving Physiotherapy in Canada, eventually as the head of the physiotherapy department in various hospitals both east and west, in Canada.
Besides her professional life she was an avid sailor and together with her husband raced 5O5s for many years. She was also very active with her needlework and displayed her artwork at exhibitions. Gardening was another activity she was very fond of. And then there was scuba diving, skiing and fishing.
As a young boy I used to admire my aunt Britta so much. She was the one who dared to move to the new country far away – to the frontier – I felt it was. When she came to visit us in Sweden or Finland in the summers she was always the most enthusiastic one in her generation, full of life with a daring appetite for anything and everything it seemed. She was a fresh sparkle in our old world here in Europe.
She and Donnie visited us at our farm in the 90s and were only supposed to stay for an afternoon, but they stayed for 3 days – helping us build a stable!
I, together with many others will miss my sweet voiced and smiling aunt.
Me, my wife Susanne, my brothers Marcus and Christian, my sister Margherita, my cousin Kjell and his wife Virginia, my nephew Rasmus and his sister Bianca were lucky to have her as a friend, and so were many others in Canada, Finland and many other parts of the world.
I would like to thank Clarice and Peter Guillon for their care for Britta since Christmas 2012. Clarice in particular has been with her most of the time since then and has been absolutely marvelous for her.
Special thanks also goes to the staff of Hawthorne Park and the Hospice House for their care.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home’s Family Center, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna. Rather than flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choosing. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Friday, March 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
My father Lorne and Donnie worked together in Montreal many years ago and a friendship was forged. The McNeills would visit our house and I remember Britta was so kind and always made a point to talk with me, I was probably not even in school at that point. I distinctly remember admiring her beautiful hair!
Britta generously shared her family abroad with my Dad and he really cherished the trips they all took together.
My sincerest condolences to Britta’s family and friends.
I first met Britta in 1957 when she worked with my father at G.F.Strong rehab center in Vancouver. Donnie and my dad became lifelong friends, enjoying boating, diving, skiing, just to name some of the things we all shared together. I was fortunate to live with the McNeills for a year while my parents were building a home in Port Moody.
They changed my life forever. I will always be the want-to-be son that Britta said she would be proud to have. So many memories, we will love them all
I met Britta in 1972, when she hired me for my first job as a physiotherapist. She was a great mentor and her enthusiasm for our profession was uplifting.I think of her often and have made many clinical decisions based on her teachings. What a pleasure to have known both Britta and Donnie.
I knew Britta from the Okanagan Needle Arts Guild. As well as being a very talented and accomplished needlewoman, Britta was always happy, smiling and supportive of others. She was just a very lovely person. I am so sorry for your loss.