Rita Carrey, the older sister of renowned actor Jim Carrey, has passed away at the age of 62. Her husband, Alex, shared the heartbreaking news on her Facebook account, describing her as his “bestest friend, my lover, and my beautiful wife.”
In his emotional post, Alex revealed that Rita and he had been together for 16 years and had just gotten married last year in an outdoor ceremony, which was something Rita had always wanted. The couple had traveled the world and made many friends along the way.
According to Alex, Rita Carrey was a woman with a “loving soul” who wanted to help everyone, even total strangers. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she even started a fundraiser to support a local charity.
We invite the family and friends to a candlelight vigil on December 7, 2024, on Heathcote Terrace in St. Catharines, to honor Rita’s memory. Following the vigil, we encourage attendees to participate in the Christmas on the Terrace public event, which supports Gillian’s Place, an Ontario-based shelter for survivors of abuse and violence. You can directly donate in Rita’s name to the organization.
Rita was born to Kathleen and Percy Carrey and was one of the Mask actor’s three older siblings, along with brother John Carrey and sister Patricia Carrey. She had a successful career in the media, working as a radio host and producer for The Peet & Reet Show. Additionally, she performed with her self-titled classic rock group, the Rita Carrey Band.
In his heartfelt tribute, Alex described his “wonderful and crazy journey” with Rita, noting that she “filled everyone’s heart with joy with every step she took” and that he will “never forget this beautiful and amazingly talented woman.” The Carrey family is undoubtedly mourning the loss of a beloved sister, and the community has lost a pillar who dedicated her life to helping others and spreading joy.