ILENE EMMA (ARMSTRONG) RIVARD

In loving memory of Ilene Emma (Armstrong) Rivard, age 86 of Dryden, who passed away Saturday August 18, 2001.
Ilene was born June 25th, 1915 in Rainy River District, the second daughter of Les & Ethel Cooper. She was raised in Emo, and Pipestone Lake where her parents operated a tourist camp.
In 1934 she married Robert John Ronald Armstrong. They resided in Fort Frances where they had three sons.
In 1948 they moved to Dryden where Ron became co-owner of Armstrong & Johnson Garage on Grand Trunk Ave.
Ilene became very active in the community. She joined curling and helped to form Dryden’s first Group of Boy Scouts and Cubs of Canada. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Auxiliary of the Dryden & District General Hospital and continued her membership in the Rebecca Lodge, where she held many chairs and was a Past Noble Grand.
Ilene’s first job was at Al Rivard’s Drycleaning Store; eventually she opened her own children’s clothing store called Ilene’s Tiny Tots & Teens. When the store closed she worked at Dickson’s Jewellers for many years, then for Schmidt Florists where she took great pride in her beautiful arrangements.
Ilene retired from the Florist at the age of 70 years and continued to curl with her second husband Al Rivard into her 79th year.
Ilene was predeceased by her parents, two sisters; Ivy Baldwin and Hazel Paterson, her first husband Ron Armstrong in 1971, her second husband Al Rivard in 1995, her second son Glenson in 1943, her grandson Darcy Armstrong in 1994 and her great grandson Mason Hus in 1999.
Ilene is survived by two sons; Robert (Jackie) and Melvin (Ellen) Armstrong, two step children; Gary (Lorette) Rivard and Thora Milroy, 6 grandchildren; Glen, Ronald, Kenneth and Richard Armstrong, Leanne Hus and Shelly Armstrong, three great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren.
Also surviving are two sisters; Edna McKenzie of Fort Frances and Lillian Johnson of Dryden, one brother Orville (Norene) Cooper of Hinton Alberta, two sister-in -law; Eugenie Armstrong of Nanimo, B.C. and Alice Armstrong of Vancouver B.C. numerous nieces and nephews.
Ilene also leaves to mourn her loss her very special friends the Ken Dickson family of Dryden whom she thought of as part of her family. “Aunty” will be especially missed by Sandra Lappage, her “unofficial daughter.”
Funeral services for the late Ilene Rivard were held Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Glen Armstrong, Ronald Armstrong, Doug Armstrong, Mark Hus, Richard Burnet and Maurice Frenette.
The family of the late Ilene Rivard would like to thank the many friends for all their care and help during this time of sadness. A special thanks to Grace Haven who were always there when we needed them during Ilene’s long illness; to Princess Court for the care and love shown to Ilene when she became a resident; to Dr. Ryan and the wonderful staff at the Hospital; to the Dickson Family and all friends who visited her at home & at Princess Court.
A special thank you to the ladies of the Rebecca Lodge.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Northern Cancer Research, Alzheimer Society, Casey Gould Trust Fund, Grace Haven Respite Care or the charity of choice through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.