It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Rose (Neigum) Rivard at the age of 100 years, 1 month and 18 days old. Rose died peacefully on July 31st, 2020 at 4:35 pm with her loving daughter Bernice and supportive son-in-law Hugh (Westen) by her side.
Rose was born in Unity, Saskatchewan and moved to Rutland, BC in 1933 where she lived until she moved to Barriere, BC in 1968 with her husband, Louis Rivard. In Barriere, Rose tended to a large garden, kept a spotlessly immaculate home, and loved to cook and bake for family and friends when they came to visit.
Rose moved back to Kelowna in 1988. She liked to crochet and sew, and many friends and family have beautiful afghan blankets and braided rugs they will always treasure as a result.
Rose also enjoyed playing cards and was delighted to get visitors to feed her baking to while playing. She was the most thrilled to feed meals and treats to her eldest grandson Kelly (Brownlee), as Kelly always stopped to see her when driving through Kelowna while travelling for work. Her middle grandson Shane (Brownlee) was particularly fond on his grandma’s macaroni with bread crumbs, which nobody else could manage to duplicate nor make as good!
Rose loved to dance and into her early nineties would regularly attend dances with friends and her brother Matt (Neigum), where she was the belle of the ball with her impeccably coiffed hair, beautiful dresses and perfectly matching shoes! Her only granddaughter Melinda (Westen Ott) firmly believes she inherited her sense of style and love of clothes and fancy shoes from her grandma!
Rose was always petite and remained physically spry well into her nineties, practically sprinting up the stairs from her basement suite in Bernice and Hugh’s home to visit with family and friends and have meals. Her youngest grandson Brad (Westen) will always remember how quickly and easily, up to the age of 95, she would sit down on the floor to play with her 3-year-old great, grandson and spring back up again after play time was over.
In failing health, Rose spent the last four years at the Village at Mill Creek and her family would like to thank the home, especially Karen, Marytess and Sue, for taking such good care of her.
Rose was the eldest of 10 children born to Joseph and Rose Neigum, and was predeceased by four brothers and two sisters, as well as two beloved daughters, Francis Yeast and Loreen Brownlee. Rose deeply mourned the loss of her daughters and was always very close to her parents, and Rose’s family knows that Rose is now in a better place, at peace, with Francis, Loreen, her parents and her siblings by her side.
Rose is survived by one daughter and son-in-law (Bernice and Hugh Westen), three grandsons, one granddaughter, six great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, three brothers (Don Neigum, Matt Neigum and Adam (Marjorie) Neigum), and many nieces and nephews.
The family has decided to postpone the celebration of life indefinitely due to the current pandemic and, in lieu of flowers, ask that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Rivard family.
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