Grace Riviere

Due to the impending storm the funeral service has been postponed to Monday, April 18 at 11 am at Grace Community Church, West Perimeter Hwy, south of Roblin Boulevard. 280 Caron Road, Headingley MB.  The service was recorded and can be view below on this page.

With great sadness, our family announces the peaceful passing of Grace Riviere on April 3, 2022 at the age of 97 years.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 50 years, Mike Riviere, parents Benjamin and Elizabeth Rodgers, two brothers, Bruce (Vi) and Henry, three sisters, Olive Rodgers, Margaret (Elmer) Eggleton, Nellie (Stan) Orton, cousin Phyllis McDonald, nephew Earl Eggleton, and nieces Elaine Eggleton and Jill Vangheluwe.

Grace will be forever loved and remembered by her four daughters, Cindy, Wanda, Denise, Donna and son-in-law Cam, two nieces Pat and Val. She leaves behind four grandchildren, Mike, Dave (Sarah), Christine (Aaron) and Kerry (Ashly) and five great-grandchildren, Micah, Jackson, Maddyn Grace, Emersyn and Walker.

Grace will also be especially missed by her loving and loyal dog Molly.

Grace was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She had an immense love of music that remained with her throughout her life starting as a teenager when she taught herself to play piano and guitar. She was always involved musically at her church singing and playing instruments. She was extremely talented and even had a song on a local radio station that was requested every week.

Grace gave her heart to the Lord at age 11. As a teen she felt called to ministry but at 19 years of age she contracted tuberculosis which changed the course of her life. She spent three years recovering at the Ninette Sanatorium. She returned home and began working at the Manitoba School.

Grace met her husband Mike while he was stationed in Portage la Prairie in 1957. They were married one year later on April 3, 1958. They were married 50 years until Mikes passing in 2009. Mike and Grace raised four wonderful daughters. Mike’s military career took the family to many cities all over Canada. Grace enjoyed the change of moving around and new adventures. Their final stop was in Winnipeg where she called home for more than 50 years.

Grace had an extraordinary connection to Manhattan Beach Retreat Centre and she attended the very first camp meeting held there in 1939. It was here as a young adult that her Christian faith grew and matured.

Mike and Grace eventually purchased a cabin at Manhattan Beach and spent every summer there. They had many good times with friends and family at the cabin. There was never a quiet evening. After church services there was always either a campfire party, visiting with friends over snacks, coffee and games (chickenfoot and Uno were favourites). The grandchildren all came out to the cabin during the summer and Grace looked forward to spending time with them. She always made sure she had their favourite foods and snacks around and she let them stay up way past their bedtime! Many hours were spent watching the grandchildren’s hockey games, soccer games, concerts, and ceremonies.

Mom hosted family suppers every week for many years and fed all of us a wonderful meal. Family was important to her and she always loved having everyone around. She got together often with friends and she enjoyed when it was her turn to host lunches with them. She valued her friendships with many different people throughout her life and always talked fondly about all of them.

She spent many hours sewing beautiful quilts late into the night. She enjoyed shopping for fabric and putting the patterns together. She made sure everyone in the family had one or two of her treasured quilts. Mom was very crafty and also knitted and crocheted and sewed many outfits for us when we were young.

Along with being involved musically at church mom also taught Sunday School for many years

Mom was a great storyteller and loved to talk about the old days. She gave us an amazing picture of what life was like for her growing up and although times were hard she made it sound wonderful.

The years since Dad’s passing were a little quieter for mom. All of us were sure she was easily going to make it to 100 years of age or even more. Her mind was sharp and she was very independent. Cindy and mom went on many shopping adventures and tried many restaurants in the city. This past September mom had to be hospitalized due to fluid around her heart. We are very grateful to our oldest sister Cindy, who always cared for mom and made it possible for her to come home.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 18 at 11 am at Grace Community Church, West Perimeter Hwy, south of Roblin Boulevard, 280 Caron Road, Headingley, MB.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Grace’s memory to the Manhattan Beach Retreat Centre, Box 62 Ninette, MB R0K 1R0.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com