The faith to forge ahead

Despite significant hurdles, Crystal Reiter’s passion for life and love of family inspired everyone she knew

By: Janine LeGal

Crystal Reiter knew the Bible, having read it in its entirety. The way she lived reflected her knowledge of verse 1 of chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews: “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

This inspired her ability to forge ahead no matter what, never wallowing in struggles but embracing a strong desire to work through them and then move on. That was her approach to life.

In 1993, Reiter was in a serious car accident in rural Manitoba when the vehicle she was driving was hit by a drunk driver. The collision resulted in the inebriated driver’s death while Reiter and her oldest son spent time in hospital with serious life-changing injuries.

Despite the significant effect on family life, Crystal focused on healing and getting the care required for her son so he had everything he needed to recover.

And faith grew in importance to Reiter over time. A regular church-goer with Protestant parents, she converted to Catholicism a few years after she married her husband Daren in a Catholic church. Reiter immersed herself in all aspects of the church — teaching catechism, being a reader in church services and eventually becoming active in the Catholic Women’s League.

Lucille Rossington, acting president, Manitoba Provincial Council of the CWL, remembers Reiter was passionate about enjoying her gift of life to the fullest.

“Crystal jumped in with two feet and enthusiastically lent her support wherever there was an opportunity,” says Rossington. “She accepted to serve as president for her home council at Notre Dame, Selkirk. Then she accepted a provincial appointment on provincial council, culminating in the office of provincial president: serving and representing Manitoba at the national table.

“She was always positive and showing us that even though she was going through a tough time — and never complaining about it — it was not going to stop her from doing the things she loved, working for God and Canada.

“Crystal had a unique way of approaching problems with curiosity, humour and a level-headed, common-sense attitude that we found refreshing. She was never afraid to tackle a large project head-on and she challenged all of us to bigger and better endeavours that we were sure we couldn’t possibly do — but we could.”

When Reiter was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007 she became even more invested in her faith. The disease and its treatments didn’t slow her down. Becoming a regular participant in the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope, she helped organize, served as a speaker and advised future cancer practitioners. She inspired her children and family to get involved in the walk. Her fundraising efforts for Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Expedition of Hope reached new heights in 2013 when she and Daren climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, a feat she was quite proud of.

Cindy Sanchez, along with Christa Slatnik, are the current Walk of Hope co-chairs.

“Christa and I were honoured to volunteer with Crystal over the last several years, sharing in the passion to increase awareness, support and research for ovarian cancer. Crystal inspired thousands of Manitobans in 2015 when she told her story as Winnipeg’s Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope spokesperson. Despite fluctuating health challenges over the years she continued to volunteer on the Walk of Hope Committee, while continuously recruiting friends and family to volunteer, raise money and walk every year. She also inspired medical students by putting a face to the disease, volunteering for Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Survivors Teaching Students Program. She fought hard and showed what hope and strength could do. We are beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to have shared in Crystal’s journey.”

When Reiter’s youngest son was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in August 2019 — he’s been cancer-free for three years — her convictions deepened even more and she began a Bible study.

“Definitely the role of faith in processing this difficult news was important; religion has been a bulwark again and again in these moments of distress,” says middle son Barret Reiter.

“Her natural determination, drive and inner strength are all equally of importance as central aspects of her personality and who she was.”

Born on Jan. 14, 1965, Reiter died on Oct. 25, 2023, at the age of 58.

Originally from North Battleford, Sask., Reiter attended the University of Saskatchewan to complete a bachelor of science degree in physical education. Her parents being longtime members of the Lions Club in North Battleford, community involvement and volunteering followed naturally.

She met Daren, the love of her life, over a bonfire at a party in Luseland, Sask., in 1984. They married and moved to Winnipeg in 1987, eventually leaving for northern Manitoba. Together they had three sons. She found her passion for the medical world after they relocated to Selkirk from Gillam.

While looking after a young family, she went back to school and became a licensed practical nurse and then obtained her bachelor of nursing degree. She worked in orthopedics and medicine and went on to obtain her certification as a hospice and palliative-care nurse. She thrived on navigating the challenges of having both a family and a career she loved.

Including their honeymoon in the Cayman Islands, Reiter and her husband shared many travel experiences, including scuba diving in the Caribbean; road-tripping throughout North America; hearing the Islamic call-to-prayer blasted out of the Blue Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; beholding the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Japan; and immersing themselves in the holy waters at Lourdes.

But Reiter didn’t require exotic locations to appreciate life. She loved the beauty of everyday moments, whether berry-picking on a walk or spending time with family.

“My mother was always learning new things,” says Barret, noting that her love of reading, her intelligence and enthusiasm for learning had a profound impact in his own life. “She was never afraid to look things up when she didn’t know the answer and wanted to dig deeper.

“My mother, and my father, too, also provided me with an exemplary model of married life: of commitment, of dedication and sacrifice, but most importantly, also of love. The foundation of their relationship in love has been an inspiration to me in my own marriage.

“My father has long professed his admiration for my mother’s determination, her unwillingness to quit and her commitment to always becoming better in everything she did. She always sought to give back to the community and to leave the world a better place than the one she found.”

passages@freepress.mb.ca