ROSALIND ELAINE DEARING (RIPAT, McGILL)

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ROSALIND ELAINE DEARING

Rosalind Elaine Dearing (formerly Ripat, née McGill) died at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The disease that claimed her health was PSP, an atypical form of Parkinson's disease. Rosalind worked with the Manitoba chapter of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program to end her life on her own terms. She did not choose death over life. She wanted to choose a time when she would still have the ability to say good-bye to her loved ones. Her family is awed by her courage in living with a debilitating disease with grace and is equally inspired by her decision to end her suffering.
She is survived by her husband Dick Dearing; children, Geoff, Jacquie, and Pauline Ripat; and stepchildren, Kevin and Robin Dearing. She was a beloved mother-in-law to Jill Cooper, Blair McCartney, Darren Osadchuk, Susan Barnett, and Jason Noordman. She was devoted to and proud of her grandchildren (listed in order of birth): Ben, Maureen, Emma, Sam, Brandon, Kieran, Nicholas, and Alex.
Rosalind was predeceased by her sister Maureen Marr, her father Stan, her mother Ruth (née Dobson), and her "Winnipeg mother" Auntie Helen Dack (née Dobson).
She was also very grateful for her relationship with her brother-in-law Dave Marr and nephew Tim.
Rosalind was born on September 25, 1942 and lived in numerous small towns in Manitoba as a child. Her family settled in Killarney when she was 12, where she resided until she moved to Winnipeg to attend university. Rosalind developed her love of animals early through her parents, who kept a variety of them. Rosalind cared for those animals and had her own horse, Thunder. Over the course of her life she also had a duck, turtles, parrots, and fish as companions and housemates. Cats and dogs held a special place in her heart.
She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1964 and a Master of Social Work degree in 1969. She worked for Child and Family Services for her entire career, first in child protection and later counselling teen mothers. Eventually, recognizing that she would not be able to spend her entire career in such high stress work, she moved into adoptions.
She married Bill Ripat in 1964. They lived in Winnipeg, Thompson, Carman, Oman, and Bolivia and had three children together before they divorced. Rosalind moved back to Winnipeg from Bolivia with Geoff, Jacquie, and Pauline and again started working for Child and Family Services.
She settled into life in Winnipeg as a single mother and joined a group at her church for separated and divorced parents, where she met Dick Dearing. Dick and Rosalind were married in 1983 and Rosalind became stepmother to Kevin and Robin.
Rosalind was an active member of her community, believed strongly in social justice, supporting many initiatives. Over the years she worked with newcomer families, volunteered at Oak Table, worked with students learning English as an additional language, and helped organize the annual Child Haven benefit fundraising dinner for schools and homes in India and Nepal. Through all of her different connections, Rosalind made many special and lasting friendships.
Rosalind's children gave her a pottery wheel as a gift for her 50th birthday. She used this to create wonderful gifts for others and to share her love of pottery with her grandchildren. Hundreds of people benefited from and enjoyed the pieces that were a result of her incredible talent. She loved gardening, and she and Dick spent many hours in their exquisite yard where all three of their daughters' weddings were hosted. She and Dick loved to travel and did so extensively, especially during retirement. They visited China, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Spain, Belize, Greece, Italy, and England. She was also an excellent cook and hosted a family dinner every Sunday night since the mid 1980s. These dinners have continued for more than 30 years and are an enviable tradition when all family members (and their assorted friends) meet for dinner and conversation. The evenings are inevitably filled with laughter.
Rosalind was passionate and active and involved in many things, but nothing made her happier than her grandchildren, to whom she was devoted. She was fond of saying that each is different and special, and that she and Dick agreed that they are all wonderful. Rosalind was an avid supporter of her grandchildren's activities and a frequent attender of hockey, lacrosse, flag football, and soccer games, in addition to ski competitions, band concerts, and musicals.
Rosalind was kind and gentle, but she always spoke her mind. She had a quick sense of humour which she maintained even in her very last days. Her warm and caring presence and her shiny eyes will be deeply missed by those who loved her most.

We love you GR.

The family would like to thank the incredible and compassionate MAID team, who accompanied Rosalind and her loved ones through the process of assisted death. A celebration of Rosalind's life will be held at Fort Garry United Church (800 Point Road) on Friday, July 5, at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Rosalind would have been grateful for donations to Oak Table Inc.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2019