Adele Rhea Archer

Former longtime resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in Sault Ste. Marie at the age of 91.

Born in Winnipeg and raised on McKenzie Island in Red Lake, she pursued post-secondary studies at the University of Western Ontario, graduating in 1957, before moving on to the Toronto Teachers' College.

Upon graduation, she moved back to Northwestern Ontario and taught French and History at high schools in Fort William and Port Arthur. Within a few years, Madame Archer joined the staff at Fort William Collegiate Institute, a school where she would become an enduring favourite, spending the majority of her career there until retiring in 1994.

She will long be remembered for her enthusiasm and the expressive way she would teach her classes, rarely sitting down, always engaged in conversation. There are thousands of former students who can attest to this!

She will be greatly missed by her three children Nancy Jane (Kari), Susan (Doug) and John (Kim), as well as her six grandchildren Madelaine, Lauren, William, Benjamin, Emily and Gillian, and also her nephew Timothy. She is predeceased by her husband Lawrie, her sisters Grace and Marjorie, and her brothers Lawrence, Albert and Fred. She is also predeceased by Simon, Bentley, Tess and Katy, her beloved Black Labrador Retrievers.

As her family, we are sad she is gone but celebrate the long and wonderful life she lived. We would like to thank the staff at Sault Area Hospital for their care and compassion. And we need to especially thank the staff of the Echo Bay wing at Extendicare Maple View for their warmth and support during the last week before she passed. She was comfortable and well taken care of by wonderful people.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 808 Ridgeway Street, Thunder Bay. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East, 705-759-2522). In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Archer family.