Jean May Riley (nee MacGillivray)
February 20, 1931 – July 17, 2023

Jean Riley passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at the age of 92 years with her beloved family and friends by her side. She is survived by her two grandsons, Jared (Angie) Riches and Rory (Chelsea) Frazer, along with her great grandchildren Carson, Lincoln, Anita and Connor; stepson Terry (Donna) Riley; cousins, Marilyn and Doug MacGillivray, Lorraine (Don) Nordstrom, Matt Thomas (Reta Palmer) and Earl MacGillivray (Anna). She leaves to cherish her memory her “chosen” daughter and son Jeanine and Jeff Wilson (along with the whole Wilson clan, including four honorary great grandchildren) as well as another “chosen” son and daughter-in-law Jim and Cheryl Ramsay. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Johnny and Ruby MacGillivray, son Earl Embury, daughter Nancy Frazer, and husband Ron Riley.

Jean was born an only child to Johnny and Ruby in Battleford and raised on the family farm, attending school in Prongua and then Battleford Collegiate Institute where she began collecting life-long friends (Sid Waters, June Beach and Arlene Chenyoweth specifically). She lived in many places in Canada, including Victoria, Montreal, Calgary, Cold Lake, Vernon, Maple Creek, Redcliff and finally Medicine Hat, collecting friends as she went. She loved her job as a cosmetic consultant at Woodwards in Calgary until she moved on to the Environmental Resources Conservation Board, where she gathered up another life-long friend in Janice Malo. During this time, Jean became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1979, maintaining her sobriety for over 44 years. Shortly after, in 1980, she met and married Ron Riley and Jean was sure she had won the jackpot in Ron, which indeed turned out to be the case. Jean worked for Ron on many of his industrial construction projects, a true helpmate to her husband. They eventually moved to Vernon and began a commercial watermelon and cantaloup growing operation, where Jean loved working the farmer’s markets and driving “little old ladies” home with their too-heavy-to-carry purchases. Jean thought she got the best part of that deal! Then it was on to Maple Creek, Redcliff and Medicine Hat, living out her days after Ron’s passing, making more new friends that would last the rest of her life (Grace Gosnell and her daughter Karen).

Jean had a deep affection for anything canine, including dog-sledding at the age of 84 years. She always had dog treats in her pocket, because “you just never know when a dog might come by for a good pet”.

Jean was raised Baptist and baptized in the Seventh Day Adventist religion after she married Ron and had a deep abiding faith in her Saviour and it showed in her grace, acceptance and love. A church family grew up around her (notably Ryan, Melanie and two more honorary great grandchildren), supporting and loving her through her many losses (including the loss of her eyesight).

A special thanks to the Cypress View Foundation and St. Joseph’s Hospice for the care and kindness shown to Jean.

A graveside service will be held at the Redcliff Cemetery on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon to follow at the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Dunmore Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to CNIB or the SPCA. To leave a message of condolence you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com.

• Date : 2023-07-17
• Location : Medicine Hat

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