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Rita Magdaline Suderman Menzies
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Educator, arts administrator.
Born at Kitchener, Ontario on 30 March 1942, one of three children of Helen Wiebe (1911-1998) and Reverend Jacob Peter Suderman (1914-1996), she was educated at Winnipeg schools and received a BA degree and Education certificate (1963) from the University of Manitoba. She taught mathematics and English literature at Steinbach Collegiate (1961-1963) and Kelvin High School (1966-1969).
She served as General Manager of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (1978-2003), Interim Operations Manager and Executive Director for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (2003-2004), and Festival Director of the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival for 11 years, and was President of its board until her death. She also served on the strategic advisory board for the Esprit Singers.
On 28 June 1968, she married Don Menzies and they had three daughters. For many years she was a substitute organist at various Winnipeg churches during summer months. She was an active member of Westminster United Church and volunteered with Diabetes Canada.
She died at Winnipeg on 19 June 2025. She is commemorated by an endowment fund at The Winnipeg Foundation established by the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.
“The big day for 2,106 U of M grads,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 May 1964, page 27.
“Trousseau tea held for Rita Suderman,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 June 1968, page 23.
Obituary [Jacob Peter Suderman], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 1996, page 42.
Obituary [Helen Suderman], Winnipeg Free Press, 28 November 1998, page 55.
“Grace under fire,” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 April 2004, page 33.
“Longtime MCO leader and Agassiz Festival board president remembered,” Classic 107, 23 June 2025.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 5 July 2025.
Obituary, Voyage Funeral Home & Crematorium.
“Orchestral expressions,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 July 2025, page C1.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 4 August 2025
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