The sounds of dishes being broken, pots and pans being tossed around the kitchen after the midnight hour, were all too familiar for Rita. But, when morning came nothing was out of place. Unusual sightings, the presence of ghosts in the family home as well as myths and belief in fairies, omens, superstitions and premonitions were a part of growing up. Rita also had to deal with an incredible amount of fear of her father, due to the high expectations that were placed on her, as well as her father’s strict discipline. Religion too played a dominant role for most Catholics like Rita in the small seaport village on the southeast coast of Newfoundland in the 1950-60’s. 

Rita left Newfoundland in 1969 to start a new life in Toronto where she married and raised two children: a daughter, now twenty-nine and a son, twenty-four. Throughout her adult life, she says she has been haunted by these memories and, occasionally, is still plagued by the “Old Hag.”

In June 2000, while on a trip to Northern Ireland, Rita received her inspiration to write her memoirs when she read “Angela’s Ashes” by Frank McCourt. That was one of the most positive experiences in her life. “It was when I discovered my passion for writing.” In her book, R.E.A.L. you will join Rita on a half-century journey in time including her close encounters with death. These stories will draw on all of your emotions, with lessons to be learned at every turn. R.E.A.L. is a page-turner and an eye opener.