Skip to content
October 19, 2021
Rita Hillier (nee Landreville, previously Dickie), age 93, passed from us peacefully on October 19 at Woodgrove Manor in Nanaimo in her 94th year, with family by her side. She was pre-deceased by three brothers (Roger, Lawrence, Norbert), one sister (Eva) and first Husband Geordie. She was with her second Husband, Joe Hillier, from 1970 to 1984. She is survived by Sister Martha (Don), 4 children: Lynda, Rick (Gayle), Marnie (Ted) and Jim (Karen), 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Rita came to BC from St Lupicin, a Franco-Manitoban community as a teenager, but, as eldest, soon became responsible for all her siblings, together with her own children after her marriage. She lived in Port Alberni, Lake Cowichan, Sayward, Squamish, Comox and was a long-time resident of Nanaimo. She was an avid bridge player and involved with the Francophone Society. She loved to dance. Rita was a very social person who loved to engage everyone she met in conversation. An important part of her life was her daily walks. Rita loved to have family around and loved to cook, especially her pancakes, tourtiere and Nanaimo bar. The Nanaimo bars were especially popular with her Grand-children and it took years for them to realize that Grandma did not invent Nanaimo bars. Rita worked for many years in the Nanaimo School District as a Teacher's Aide in French immersion and in teaching English as a second language. Rita was a member of the Disenfranchised Widows Action Group, a group of women who fought to get their WCB pensions re-instated. After retiring in 1994, she spent a number of years volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Cancer Society. The family would like to thank the staff at Berwick Comox Valley, where Rita lived for three years until April of this year and also the staff at Woodgrove Manor for their excellent care upon Mom's return to Nanaimo. She thoroughly enjoyed taking part in all the activities as a member of their loving, caring community. We would also like to thank the staff of the Emergency Department at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Sands Funeral Chapel Cremation

Additional Photo(s):  


Secondary Title

Your condolences will be approved within one business day. You will need a valid Facebook account. Please email us if you have any questions.