Memorials
Venita Blackwelder
1953-2009
On Wednesday, April 15, 2009, we lost one of our best friends, one of our biggest supporters, and one of the kindest souls we’ve ever known.
Venita joined River City back in the very early days. She had already made quite a name for herself in the animal rescue community by starting and running a very wonderful rescue, “Bless Their Hearts Kitty Haven.” She caredfor, rescued, housed, provided medical care for, and adopted out countless homeless kitties over the years. She worked tirelessly and with exhaustive dedication to make a clean and safe and nurturing home for the cats in her care, as well as to advocate for animals everywhere. She “networked” with many other kitty rescuers and was incredibly generous in her sharing of knowledge, advice, and resources in order to be sure every cat she touched receivedthe very best of care. Any animal that fell into her hands knew love and would only be allowed to leave if a better and permanent home could be found. Venita brought her compassion and care to work with her in the countless days she volunteered on the van with us. For two years, she handled all the telephone appointments and calls about everything from how to catch feral cats, how to keep stray cats out of a garden, to desperate pleas for homeless cats and how to care for orphaned kittens. Her patience with all callers was endless, and she made friends everywhere; it was impossible to not appreciate her love for animals and her selfless desire to help. She was indeed our Good Samaritan.
Venita was a talented musician and loved her music and her family in a way to inspire all of us. She taught, she studied, she traveled to Europe and Russia with her music, and she never lost her gift for “making a joyful noise.” She had a deep and abiding Faith, and more strength than anyone would ever expect from such a tiny, feminine, ladylike beauty; she was the true “Steel Magnolia,” and touched everyone who knew her.
Venita was diagnosed with lung cancer less than two years ago. She fought hard and with great Faith; she endured chemotherapy and radiation and then another round of chemotherapy before she was unable to go on. She never gave up hope and never ever lost her spirit. She leaves behind her husband, her son, her sister, her father, and all the rest of us who also loved her. She leaves behind many of her precious “babies,” the cats who also loved her dearly. We 
are sure that there were countless more who welcomed her as she crossed The Rainbow Bridge herself, and she must have had great joy in being greeted by those who went before her and waited patiently for her there.
We will miss you terribly, Venita, but something as wonderful as your kind heart never truly dies.
Bless Your Heart, Venita. We love you.
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