VERA (PETRYSHYN) RILEY

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VERA (PETRYSHYN) RILEY It is with great sadness that the family of Vera Riley announce her passing on December 1, 2004 at St. Josephs Hospice. Vera was born March 18, 1928 in Winnipegosis, MB. She was the eldest of four children. She worked many jobs as a waitress in Flin Flon and Dauphin during the war years. Patrons would line up and wait for her tables to open because of her pleasant and outgoing personality. Here she met and married her first husband who was a member of the RCAF and she had her son Gary. Later she moved to Winnipeg and met her second husband Claude. They resided in in Winnipeg from 1960 to 1964 where Kevin and Debbie were born. In August of 1964 the family moved to Atikokan where Claude had accepted a position with Norwont Telecommunications. During their stay in Atikokan another son Geoffrey was born. Here Vera was very active with volunteer work including the Rebeka Lodge, ARC Industries and the Legion. She had many special friends in Atikokan including Alice Yurkiw, Mary Wasylenki, Olga Birchard, Frances MacDonald and the late Dorothy Jarvis and Gert Larocque. People loved her for her out going personality, sense of humour and lust for life. In 1979 Vera and her family moved to Dryden where Claude was employed with the CBC and Vera worked for 11 years as a homemaker for the Red Cross. She was a favourite among her clients. She made many friends in Dryden including Jean, Nina, Lavina, Jesse and Sandy and enjoyed playing cards and socializing. While in Dryden Vera became a member of the Ladies Legion Auxiliary and attended and served as a volunteer at many of their functions. She also continued her volunteer work with ARC Industries. In 1971 Claude and Vera purchased a cottage at Eva Lake. Many pleasant times were spent here with their friends and family including their dearest friends Warren and Lois Goodwin where there was always a card game or fishing adventure happening. Prior to Claude and Veras retirement and over a ten year period a permanent residence was built at the lake where they resided with their daughter Debbie. She will be missed dearly by her husband of 42 years Claude; her children, Gary (Lori) Nault of Winnipeg, Kevin and Geoff Riley of Dryden and Debra (Kaz) of Eva Lake; brother Walter Patterson of Kaministiquia; grandchildren, Wade, Joey, and Reagan Nault of Red Lake, Jamie Nault of Winnipeg, Christopher Johnson of Atikokan; and her most precious granddaughter Toni Riley of Dryden; nephews, Kelly (Sherri, Dillon and MacKenzie), Doug, Robbie (Mylene, Clarke and Catherine) all of Thunder Bay. Also special cousin Pat (Peter) and niece Terry (Marcel) of Winnipeg and many other special friends and relatives. While Vera was in the hospital in Thunder Bay she made a special friend Bev Cameron and became an adopted member of the Cameron and Susick families. Their love and support will always be remembered and appreciated by Claude and his family. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Katherine (nee Crapun) and George Petryshyn; sister Helen; brother Marven Patterson. As per Veras request cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held Monday, December 6 at 11:30 at the Legion Hall in Atikokan. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Josephs Hospice Unit, P.O. Box 3251, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5G7. Special thanks to Dr. Miller, Dr. Simpson, Dr. Chan, Dr. Davis and Dr. McGurg and all of the nurses of the Cancer Clinic, Oncology 1A. Extra special thanks to all the wonderful, dedicated and compassionate nurses in St. Josephs 4 North. And a very special thank you to Pastor Mikael of the Full Gospel Assembly in Atikokan for the never ending comfort and support to Vera and her family. Northwest Funeral Alternatives 1-800-305-7912

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 04, 2004