Reine Rea

Reine Marcelle Irene Rea

(nee La France)

Reine Rea passed away peacefully at the Lion’s Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie on May 27, 2015 after a brief illness. She will be forever remembered by her daughter Susan (Randy), son David (Judy), brothers Roger and Rheal, sister Lucienne, and grandchildren Jamie Rea (Lisa), Devin Rea (Stephanie), Ryan Rea Harrow and Megan Rea Harrow.

Reine was born October 25, 1932 in Cardinal, Manitoba. She is predeceased by her parents Marcel and Emela, husband Dave Rea, brothers Romeo at birth, Robert in childhood, and Gerard.

Reine obtained a diploma in nursing after high school and married Dave Rea in 1953. They settled in a small house that Dave built next to his welding shop north of Somerset, Manitoba. She devoted her life to raising her children Susan and David and helping Dave with his business. We remember her spending hours in the hot sun painting all the equipment dad manufactured, baking the best raisin buns we ever tasted, and always singing to us with her beautiful voice. She was a great cook…a skill she learned by trial and error feeding all the hired help from the business.

In later years she lived quietly and simply in the little house she and Dave built in Rathwell, Manitoba, taking great pleasure in spending time with her grandchildren and working on her hobbies.

Failing health made it necessary for her to move to the Lion’s Prairie Manor in Portage la Prairie in August 2002, where she joined Dave. She would only get to spend a month here with Dave before he passed away in late September 2002.  We wish to thank all the staff at Lion’s Prairie Manor for the wonderful care they took of Reine over the past 13 years, and of making her final days as comfortable as they could.

Cremation has taken place. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date when Reine will be laid to rest beside Dave in Woodlands Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Reine’s memory to the Lion’s Prairie Manor Foundation, 24 9th Street SE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4.

Rest peacefully Mom….we love you always.

“On the wings of a snow-white dove God sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above

On the wings of a dove

When troubles surround us

When evils come

The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us
He doesn't forget us
He sends down his love
On the wings of a dove “

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