Reta Joyce (Milner) MacLean

Reta Joyce MacLean

1935 - 2022

Please join Reta’s family for a celebration of her life on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at the Rimbey Drop-In Centre (5110- 53 Ave, Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0) from 1:00-4:00 p.m. If desired and in lieu of flowers, in memory of Reta please make any donations to the Rimbey Hospital Ladies Auxiliary (Box 440, Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0 | 403-842-7800) or a charity of your choice.

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Reta MacLean (nee Milner) on Thursday, May 5, 2022 in Rimbey, Alberta.

Reta was born in Stettler, Alberta on October 14, 1935 to Rose and Bill Milner. Wed to Jim MacLean on April 20, 1954 they resided in various parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan before settling down in Pincher Creek. In 1965 they were transferred to Rimbey where they built their forever home and planted permanent roots with their four children.

Mom loved camping and in 2004 purchased her own motorhome and continued her June and September trips to Fairmont Hot Springs where she loved to frequent the pools and socialize with friends she and dad met over the years. Starting in 2009, mom’s partner, Morley Dell, joined her on her twice-yearly trips. People would often inquire as to who drove her motorhome for her and they would laugh when she proudly responded that she did all the driving herself.

Mom enjoyed playing cards as well as keeping her yard and home beautiful. As a long-time resident of Rimbey, Mom was very well known around town and was an active member of the Red Hatters as well as a volunteer for 31 years with the Rimbey Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. She loved to bake and was well known for her angel food cakes at the annual Hospital Auxiliary Strawberry Tea. Over the years she worked in various retail position in town for Robinson’s Dry Goods, Rimbey Jewellers, McNabb Foods and a local catering business. Always dressed up wearing a brooch or two, she could often be found having coffee and socializing at the Rimbey A&W and occasionally serving up coffee refills to the customers. For years, mom was an avid volunteer and in 2016 was awarded The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General of Canada for her significant volunteer contributions. Above all mom loved spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends.

Mom had an incredible memory and would often be asked by family and friends to recall names, events and details. She was always good at remembering people she had met throughout her life and travels and made many life-long friends over the years of which she stayed in touch.

Reta will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her family; Bill & Carla MacLean of Edmonton, Joanne & Keith Braaten of Calgary, Colleen MacLean & Don Wierenga of Lacombe, grandchildren Gillian MacLean of Toronto and Will MacLean of Edmonton, extended family Dianne & Harold Meyer of Delia along with their children and grandchildren (the 4 Gems), brothers Fred & Evelyn Milner of Stettler, Doug & Carol Milner of Lindale, sisters Carolyn & Clayton Ness of Stettler, Connie Daubert of Beiseker and sister-in-law Wendy Milner of Red Deer along with numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. She is predeceased by her husband Jim in 2004, her son Wayne MacLean in 2014, her very special friend Morley Dell in 2021, brother Roy Milner in 1992 and brother-in-law Larry Daubert in 2016.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the homecare and healthcare providers for the care provided to our mom over the last months of her life.

If I have taught you to care and you have taken heed – Then I have given you what I could, that’s all you really need. I know that you are missing me, and these days seem so grey – But remember I am with you, in so very many ways. I’m the sunlight in the morning, or the wind upon your face – I’m the raindrops on the sidewalk, your hearts will know my place

~~ Wayne MacLean 2004

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