Maria Johanna Profit

Maria (Rita) Johanna Profit (nee: Leenders) was born in Eindhoven, The Netherlands on September 1st, 1925, and died peacefully on October 27, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada at the age of 99.

Mom was the second oldest child of 8 brothers and 1 sister. She is survived by her 2 daughters: Moira Moriarity (late Ron), and Diane Christin (Christopher); 4 grandchildren: Stacey Lawrence (Adam), Robert (Christian), James, and Charlie (Miranda); 5 great-grandsons: Dexter, Theodore, Nicholas, Jenson and Isaac. 2 step-grandchildren: James (Olga) and Jennifer Christin, 2 step-great-granddaughters: Madelin and Athena. She leaves behind her brother Jan (late Corry) his family in Australia, sister Diny in Holland, and her brother Fred (Jenny) and family in Holland, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Australia, Holland, New Zealand and Canada.

Mom was always active when young, and loved gymnastics, sports and biking. As a young girl, Mom remembered wearing Dutch clogs. At the age of 14, the Second World War broke out, and Germany invaded Holland. She survived many different and dangerous experiences during the war. At 21, she met and married her husband, Robert Profit (Bobby), a Scotsman fighting with the British RAF in Holland. In 1946, at the end of the war, she moved to Scotland with Bobby, not really understanding the English language, which resulted in her saying things not quite acceptable there. For example, in English, brown sugar translates to “Bastard Sugar” in Dutch! Quite the look on the shopkeeper’s face when she politely requested this item. She enjoyed living in Scotland and had many caring sisters-in-law to help her navigate her new world.

In 1951 her first daughter, Moira, was born, followed by another daughter, Diane, in 1954. In 1957 Rita and Bobby immigrated to Ottawa, Canada to start a new life.

Mom worked as the Head Housekeeper and Cook at the Andrew Fleck Childcare Centre for many years and was quite the staff organizer with very high Dutch cleaning standards.

Mom was an avid knitter, seamstress, and cook. Mom and Dad would play cards on Friday nights, bowl, and play bingo or darts on Saturday nights. They loved to entertain with their friends from the Orangemen’s Lodge. Many a Friday night, there was lots of laughter and jokes around the kitchen table, as well as large bags of potato chips and other snacks!

In 1970, Mom and Dad decided to move to Melbourne, Australia due to the declining health of Dad. They sold the family home in Ottawa and travelled across the country by train to Vancouver, BC where the family boarded a British ship (the Orsova) for a 3-week adventure to the new country. The trip included stops in Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, and finally, Sydney, Australia. After spending a few days in Sydney, we boarded a train for the overnight trip to Melbourne. It was a wonderful adventure and sadly, proved to be the last for Mom with Dad. Mom was hired as an Assistant Dietician at a hospital in Melbourne, and Dad secured a job as a Linesman with the Melbourne Transit Authority. Mom and Dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in February 1971. Unfortunately, Dad passed away suddenly, a few weeks later, in March 1971, leaving Mom with two daughters to support and take care of. She decided to return to Canada, boarding a Greek ship in July 1971, and returned to Ottawa, Canada via New York.

Mom decided to change careers, and returned to Algonquin College, training first as a Registered Nurses Aide, and then studying as a File Clerk. She worked in various nursing homes and hospitals in these roles.

In the years that followed, 4 grandchildren (1 girl: Stacey, and 3 boys: Robert, James and Charlie) were the joy of her life! They were the recipients of many wonderful adventures and presents. Mom always asked every day how the “kids” were doing. To her immense joy, 5 great-grandchildren came along: Dexter, Theodore, Nicholas, Jenson and Isaac.

Mom loved all animals, but especially dogs. She always had a dog, along with the odd bunny or budgie. Every spring, Mom and Dad would rescue a baby Robin that had fallen from the nest and spend many hours trying to nurse it back to health.

Reading novels, The Ottawa Citizen Newspaper daily to stay up to date on the world news (to a remarkable degree) and watching TV were just some of her interests in her later years. Her curiosity about the world and its inhabitants was never-ending. Mom was always interested in learning how things worked, how other cultures lived or what they ate. She had a knack for “interviewing” people to find out who they were, and where they were from, quickly gaining their life story. She loved learning about the world, watching The Bachelor, and Coronation Street. We were not to call at 7:00 p.m. as she was busy watching her shows.

Mom was an avid volunteer for many years at the Good Companions in the Second-Hand Clothing Shop, where she loved to help put together an outfit for clients, at a great price! She loved nothing more than a great “outfit” of clothing and dressing up.

The Casino was one of Mom’s favourite places to visit. Getting her “lottery tickets” was something that she was adamant about, and she was so sure she was going to “win big” so she could share the wealth with her family!

Mom moved into the Perley Village Apartments as one of the first residents. She volunteered at the Perley and made many pottery pieces which are lovingly displayed in her family's homes.

She lived in her apartment until a fall in June 2022, at the age of 96, which resulted in a broken ankle, requiring more care, and moving to the Glebe LTC after surgery and many months of rehab at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Mom advocated for better care in LTC and would not hesitate to speak up if she felt something was not quite right. In her honour, Moira and Diane will continue their advocacy for better care in long-term care homes.

Unfortunately, after contracting COVID-19, bacterial pneumonia, a kidney infection, a painful bedsore, and a valiant 1-week fight, mom passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, October 27, 2024, with her 2 daughters and grandson Charlie by her side. She leaves behind her 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

We are indebted to the fabulous, caring nurses and doctors on the 5th floor at the Ottawa General Hospital for their kind and compassionate care during mom’s last week of life.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date with burial in the spring where Mom will be laid to rest with her beloved Bobby.

Donations in mom’s name can be made to the Ottawa Humane Society or a charity of your choice. In honour of Mom’s memory, please buy a lottery ticket, visit a casino, or go play bingo on her birthday, September 1st.

Mom always ended a conversation by saying, “So much for that.” So, with broken hearts, the family says goodbye to our mom/grandma/GG/great grandma. Her fiery spirit will be missed. May she rest in peace. We love you mom.