Rae Warburton (nee Matchett)

Reunited with her husband, Bob, the family announce the peaceful passing of Rae Warburton on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Rae was born in Winnipeg, the third daughter of Rev. Clifford and Leona Matchett. Rae lived in Winnipeg, Souris and had the majority of her schooling in Minnedosa. After a year of teacher’s college in Winnipeg, Rae got her first teaching position in Snow Lake Manitoba, where she met Bob while he was working for the Surveyors Branch and the Snow Lake mines.

Once married in 1964, they resided on the farm in Poplar Point. Bob and Rae had a dairy farm, a grain farm and later a cattle farm. Rae was a beloved teacher in Portage la Prairie with the majority of her career at Yellowquill School teaching Grade One. She loved her students and her colleagues. We heard of many a story from her students. Throughout the years, between teaching her nephew, her son-in-law and many kids in-between, her love for them and their development was so very important to her. She took sign language to help one student and kept in touch with special students into their adulthood.

Mom was involved in everything. She was a 4-H leader, the organist at church, the ACW President, on the curling executive in Portage, on the Teacher’s Association executive, made decorations for skating carnivals, canvassed for The Cancer Society and The Heart & Stroke Association and the list goes on and on. Her biggest accomplishment, after retirement, was chairing the creation of the Poplar Point History Book, “It’s About Time.” She loved to curl, loved crafts, loved baseball (the Blue Jays and the Goldeyes) and loved her many chocolate Labrador dogs named Brig.

Left to mourn are her two girls, daughter Dawn (Mike), grandson Shawn (Jade) and great granddaughter Eleanor, grandson Christopher (Clarissa) and grandson Matthew (Meagan); daughter Kim (Dan); sister Joan; brothers-in-law Eric (Thelma) and Tom (Linda); along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She is also survived by her chosen family Josef and Sherrie Upgang, grandson Evan (Robyn) and great grandson Conrad and granddaughter Emily (Collin) and great grandson Russell.

We are so very thankful for the love and care Mom received at Douglas Campbell Lodge. Their staff truly became family to us and we couldn’t have cared for Mom without you all.

A celebration of Mom’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 2:00 pm at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, Portage la Prairie. The service will be livestreamed for all those who are unable to attend, to register and view see below.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Portage Hospital Foundation for Douglas Campbell Lodge, St Luke’s Church, Oakville, Curling for Life Endowment Fund through the Winnipeg Foundation or a charity of your choice.

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.