Opal Joy Price

After her courageous struggle, Opal Joy Price passed away peacefully Thursday, July 4, 2002 at her residence at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances, Ont., in the presence of her niece and beloved members of her extended family of caregivers at Rainycrest.
Volunteers of the Kenora-Rainy River Palliative Care Volunteer Program also provided steadfast comfort, love, and prayers for Opal in her final days.
Opal was born Aug. 21, 1930 in Fort Frances to the late Willard and (Jennie) Evelyn Price, formerly of 306 Victoria Ave. Opal was a member of the Knox United Church and the U.C.W. in Fort Frances, as well as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Evergreen Chapter #80.
She enjoyed her job with the Toronto-Dominion Bank for a number of years and, although crippled from an early age with a hip disorder, had an insatiable love for swimming.
As a member of the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association, Opal won two gold medals in 1976 at the Ontario Games for the Physically Handicapped at London, Ont., and in 1978 was rewarded with five medals at the Northeastern Games for the Disabled in Kirkland Lake.
With her mother at her side, Opal became a resident of Rainycrest in 1985 and spent the remainder of her days in their care.
The love and support of the Rainycrest staff that became Opal’s extended family, and her many precious friends associated with the United Church and the Eastern Star, carried her through the loss of her mother and the difficult physical challenges she faced in her later years.
Opal was predeceased by her brother, John in 1973; father, Willard in 1980; and mother, Evelyn (Gourley) in 1987.
She is survived by her aunt, Marion Hollmer of Sudbury, Ont.; and three nieces, Donna and husband, Chris Cannon, of Fort Frances, Ont., Kathryn Price of Winnipeg, Man., and Marilyn and husband, Russ Desserre, of Atikokan, Ont.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 20, 2002 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. The Order of the Eastern Star will officiate with their memorial service, followed by a service officiated by Rev. Marietta Marshall.
Interment will follow in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Honourary pallbearers will be Eileen Morrow, Olga Holmes, Evelyn Metke, Del Cumming, Lonita Robertson, Mary Demainiw, and Esther Fedoruk, as well as Opal’s extended family at Rainycrest.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Rainycrest Home for the Aged Memorial Fund, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2, or to the Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association, c/o Donna Cannon, P.O. Box 644, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9.