Rita Helen Britt,

Rita H. Britt (Kinstler) 1/20/1941 – 7/13/2012 There are ‘rules’ to writing an obituary: date & location of birth & death, names of relatives, names of surviving family members, etc. So, here we go – Rita Helen Britt was born in England, one of seven children, moved to America at 18 to marry Darrell Kinstler, had 3 children . . . this isn’t working. If you knew Rita, you know that she has never been one to follow the rules. One rule is that you don’t leave unexpectedly – you graciously thank everyone then say your goodbyes. You don’t just go to sleep and have a ‘Surprise Parting’! On Friday, July 13 2012, Rita did the unexpected – she died too soon – peacefully, while asleep and most likely dreaming of her family or her next design project. No, she was not sick – she had beaten cancer twice and was ready for the next chapter in her life. In fact, she had spent the previous evening at her favorite restaurant – Otto’s - celebrating that she was selling her home and moving to a condo near her family. She planned to continue Britt Interiors - her long standing, successful interior design business, planned to create more but work a bit less, planned to have a smaller garden – yet planned to go to Gloria’s Garden for more plants (ha!), planned to travel, planned to make more rhubarb pies, planned to jump into more pools with her clothes on, planned to make animal pancakes and pour ‘syrup from the sky’, planned to chase children under their beds and scare them with ugly dolls, planned to show up unexpectedly on her clients’ doorsteps for wine & dinner, planned to spend more time with her family & see her grandchildren grow up – she planned to live & love so much more. She never was a good planner. Family (near and far) was the most important part of her life. She cherished her loved ones more than anything else on earth. Her children, Liz (Kevin) Potter, Kate Martinelli & John Kinstler were 3 of her 8 greatest creations (she being the tree, we being the fruit). The other 5 were her grandchildren, Mckenzie & Sam Potter and Dominic, Abby & Victor Martinelli. It has been made clear to her on many occasions that she is also the Nanna of ‘granddogs’ Charlie & Louie and ‘grandcats’ Monty & Misty. (Sorry Mum – but you did talk to them on the phone). For those of you who worked with Rita, you know that you too, are family. She loved her work and felt blessed to be able to share her passion with so many. If she were here she would thank you for letting her ‘burst in’ on your lives! We will miss her, we will remember her and we will be forever blessed for having her in our lives. God Bless You Mum. Please join us in a Service & Celebration of Rita’s Life. Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:00 – 3:30 - Service 3:30 – 6:00 – Celebration Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 608-261-4000 (She loves color so please dress accordingly) Rita always believed in ‘giving back’. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792-6164 or uwhealth.org/cancer Rita always believed in ‘giving back’. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792-6164 or uwhealth.org/cancer Please join us in a Service & Celebration of Rita’s Life. Thursday, July 26, 2012 3:00 – 3:30 - Service 3:30 – 6:00 – Celebration Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI 53703 608-261-4000 (She loves color so please dress accordingly)