Note: this story has been edited since it was posted Monday afternoon.
Several community memorials have been set up and online tributes continue to evolve after the passing of a beloved member of the Ladner community Friday morning.
Rita Gensow, a member of Ladner’s homeless community, passed away just after 10 a.m. March 1.
She is survived by her partner Steve, sister Violet, other family and friends and the Ladner community who loved her dearly.
A few weeks ago, Violet arranged for Rita’s care at Langley Memorial Hospital and then the Palliative Care Unit, said resident Robbin Whitbread who contacted the Optimist.
“Rita was one of Ladner’s great personalities with our homeless community,” said Whitbread. "Most of us in Ladner would see Rita every day when we were in Ladner and we will miss her deeply. Rita’s favorite flower is the African Violet and the planter by Save-On-Foods is starting to fill with African Violets, spring flowers and a teddy bear with a heart. At the entrance to Ladner, our Ladner Heron is dressed in black with a shopping cart in front in memory of Rita.”
Resident Martha Cheney took a photo of the Ladner Heron sign and shared it with the Optimist.
“I just took some flowers there on my way home from work today. Very touching. What community has such a profound memorial to one of its most vulnerable residents? Ladner is pretty special,” Cheney said.
Whitbread said Gensow was born in September 1964.
She loved swimming with her dad, Hans, the beach, gardening and parks.
One of Rita’s many friends also mentioned that Rita had great fun with and loved her 442 Green Cutlass.
Besides the many messages of condolence and memories on several Ladner Facebook groups, a memorial fund has been set up at the bottle depot in Ladner Village to raise money to help Steve.
Whitbread said friends will also be arranging a date at the end of May for planting more African Violets in her honour. A day, time and location will be announced later.
Through Whitbread, Steve shared his favorite picture and poem written for Rita and him by Ray Crawford with the Optimist.
It is listed below:
Stevey and Rita there is a pair,
You see them around Ladner – everywhere.
From early dawn until the last of the day’s light,
this couple will gather every bottle and can in sight.
Down through the alleys they push their buggy,
on cold winter days and even when it’s hot and muggy.
Sometimes they will part and go on their own,
but most times you see them together as they roam.
While you and I rest safe in our homes,
these two souls stay outside all night alone.
They wrap themselves up in blankets to fend off the cold,
as they snuggle together as each other they hold.
The want for not and are as honest as the day is long,
every day, a twinkle in their eyes and in their heart a song.
So if you see this pair ambling down the lane,
give them a nod or a smile but never a sad refrain.
Steve and Rita together, never to part.
Two kind souls sharing one heart…
