Rita Agnes (Gilmore) Hancock

Rita Agnes (Gilmore) Hancock, 89, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at Brainerd Edgewood Senior Living on April 4, 2022. 

Rita was born November 9, 1932 to George and Margaret Gilmore in Providence, Rhode Island.  She graduated with Rhode Island Honors at St. Patrick’s all girls High School.  After graduating, she pursued nursing and worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the local Providence Hospital. On August 4, 1951, she married Bernard Claydean Hancock, Sr.  They spent most of their married years residing in Brooklyn Center, MN.  Together, they raised 7 children. Rita loved being a mother and was actively involved in all her children’s school activities and hobbies. Rita’s hobbies included sewing, knitting, puzzles, coloring, ceramics, and board games. She also had many trophies from her bowling and golfing days. Her favorite game show was “Wheel of Fortune.” Rita loved being a grandmother and spent quality time with all of her grandchildren. After her husband Bernie passed away in 1993, she began to winter in Bellville, Texas near her son Robert and his family. She still spent her summers in Minnesota. In Bellville, she was involved with the Cancer Angels sewing children’s cloth story books to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  Another one of her joys was singing in the church choir and the choir at the assisted living facility. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Bernard, Sr; her son, Bernard, Jr; five brothers and one sister.

 Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her children: Carole (Lyle) Robinson of Laporte, MN, John Hancock of Bellville, TX, George (Peggy) Hancock of Ramsey, MN, Bob (Judy) Hancock of Bellville, TX, Mary (John) Kroll of Pillager, MN, and Jimmy Swan of Hopkins, MN; daughter-in-law, Linda Hancock of Big Lake, MN; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister, Louise Hynes, of Providence, RI; a host of devoted nieces, nephews and friends.  

 A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Brainerd. Friends and family are invited to gather for one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society and Dementia Society of America.

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