Born December 17, 1921 in North Dorchester, Ontario, Rhea passed away peacefully at her home in Exeter on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 with family by her side. Beloved wife of Murray A. Greene for over 70 years. Rhea and Murray co-owned Greene’s Variety on Main Street Exeter from 1955-1975. While in training in Chatham to become a Registered Nurse (graduating in 1946), she had a chance encounter with her future husband. He had come to visit his lifelong friend who was being nursed by Rhea. Murray was then shipped overseas. They met again through the same friend when he returned to Canada. They started dating and eventually married September 18, 1948. Rhea was predeceased by her parents Charles M. and Pearl Isabel (Wilton) Rickard, a baby sister Pearl, brothers Percy, Gordon, and Orville, and sisters Ruth Scarrow, Peggy Kelly, Doris Leslie, and son-in-law Claude LaFond. Rhea is survived by her daughter Bonita (Bonnie) LaFond of Meaford and Exeter and her son David of Ottawa, grandchildren Robert and Valerie Keating of Kingston, Trevor and Josie Keating of Victoria, B.C., Aaron and Alexandra Greene of Oromocto N.B., Katelynn and James Haley of Stittsville, and great-grandmother to Jessica, Tristan, and Alex Keating and Alanna, Knox, and Padraig Haley. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William Street, EXETER on Thursday from 3:30-5:30 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held at the Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church, 264 Main Street, Exeter on Friday, March 1st at 11 AM with Dr. Jim Sutton and Rev. Steve Greene officiating. Interment Dorchester Union Cemetery.
Donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Archbishop Dr. Michael R. Foreman
My deepest felt condolences to the Greene family for your loss. I was 10 years old when my family moved me to Exeter and opened a store on Main St. in Exeter. As a boy I spent a lot of time visiting the Greene store daydreaming of buying stuff. In my heart, I have always had fond memories of the store and Mr. and Mrs. Greene. They were wonderful people and were always kind to me and quick to say hello. Two very great people.
God Bless you Mrs. Greene! May God have mercy on your soul and give you the rest you deserve. Amen
Irene Gettler
Murray, Bonnie and Family
My condolences in your loss. I enjoyed my brief time with Rhea pampering her. She lived a wonderful life and each visit I had with her , she would reminisce about family. It would often bring a smile to her face and one to mine.
Thank you for inviting me into your home and having the opportunity to let Rhea leave her mark on my life.
Hugs to you all.
Dave and Joan (Heywood) Goddard
Murray and family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very sad time. Sending hugs.
Lori Sims
Dear Murray, Bonnie and David:
Remembering a fine lady, and one of the hardest workers in Town. Will never forget the “Christmas Around the World” pageant at the church, where Rhea expertly crafted all of the costumes for a cast of dozens of Sunday school kids. She was so talented, generous and fun loving. We will miss her very much.
Bob and Helen Coates
Our sincere sympathy Murray, in the loss of your dear wife, Rhea. We have fond memories of her warm smile from the days of your store. Bob and Helen Coates
Cynthia Fancey
Murray, we are so sorry to hear about Rhea. We have many happy and warm memories of her at church and at church functions. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Cynthia and Eric Fancey and Shirley Osborne
Tim Rowcliffe
Such a great lady. One of a kind. A true gem.
Rita Rupar
Dear Uncle Murray, Bonnie, David and all of your family,
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to all of you. Aunt Rhea was such a wonderful, welcoming person. Over all the years, she kept in touch with her Christmas mail, even when we did not see each other in person. We remember her fondly.
Love from our family to yours,
Rita (Scarrow) Rupar and my husbandTony
Emily (Scarrow) Mankal and her husband Jordan, Aaliyah and Zayd
Louise Pinsonneault (White)
Uncle Murray, Bonnie , Dave and Families
I’m so very sorry to hear of Aunt Rhea’s passing. Sending my condolences to all in your time of sadness. Treasure all the wonderful memories.
Love & hugs
Louise
Jim and Verla
Dear Murray, Bonita, David and Family:
Our deepest sympathy on the passing of your loved one Rhea.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Wendi Schwindt
Dear Murray…I was so sorry to see this. One of the things I miss most from Exeter was seeing your familiar face coming into the bank and chatting with you about Rhea. You had an amazing relationship and I know you will treasure your memories…hugs…
Wendi
Sue Lewis
So sorry to hear about Aunt Rhea,,she was a wonderful person and I have fond memories of visiting her and the family.
She always had a smile on her face and was a lovely person..Hugs to Uncle Murray, Bonnie and David and their families in this difficult time. love Sue
Sylvia Rickard
So sorry for your loss Murray, Bonnie, David and families.
My thoughts are with you.
Heather and Bob
Dear Murray, Bonita, David and family
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss and sadness. Rhea was a Sweetheart, and it was my honour to have been able to care for her these past months. I will miss her and our times together very much! Heather and Bob
George and Sue Wilson
Murray and family, sending you our heartfelt sympathy on your loss of Rhea. I remember Greene’s Variety as a child. Rhea was a lovely lady. My Dad and Mom were Doug and Dorothy Insley. Cherish your precious memories. Hugs and prayers,George and Sue (Insley) Wilson
Fran Ritchie
Murray you have my thoughts and prayers. Fran Ritchie
Bob and Carol Johnston
Murray, Bonita , David and Family
We were very sorry to hear about Rhea. She was such a happy person. She made you feel so up-beat when you were in her presence.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a great friend to my parents when they lived in Exeter.
Sincere sympathy to you all at this sad time in your lives
Crystal Ellerington
Murray and Family
You have my deepest condolences, Rhea was an absolute amazing lady, with a heart of gold!
You were like grandparents to Audrey when we lived next door to you and she absolutely adored both of you. She will be very missed.
Please find comfort in all your wonderful memories
Love always Crystal Ellerington and Family
Lisa Alm
Uncle Murray, Dave, Bonnie & families,
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of sweet Aunt Rhea.
I have many fond memories of family time spent in Thamesville as a child. She had a long wonderful life and we were all so lucky to have been blessed to know her.
Hugs to all.
Love,
Great Niece – Lisa (Pinsonneault) & Erik Alm
& children, Larissa & Pierce
Dorothy and Garry Balsdon
Murray,
Remembering you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Lots of good memories from our time in Exeter. Sincerest condolences. Dorothy and Garry Balsdon
Ron & Glenda Lindenfield
Murray, Bonnie, David and Families
Remember Rhea well, so kind hearted and lovely lady, was in Greene’s Variety daily, our sincere condolences and keep those fond memories close
Glenda Fisher Lindenfield & Ron Lindenfield
Kathy Bentley
Murray and family
I am so very sorry to hear about Rhea. She was a wonderful woman who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she met. She will be missed.
Kathy Bentley
Daniele Lafond
Bonnie, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Sending you a big hug..xo
Cathy Rickard
My deepest sympathy to Uncle Murray,Bonnie,and David and your families.I have very fond memories of Aunt Rhea,I always remember going to visit at Christmas time and having so much fun.You will be missed Aunt Rhea.Love to all of you in this difficult time.
Norma Moore
Uncle Murray so sorry to about Aunt Rhea. My thoughts are with you and Bonnie and David and their families .
Love Norma Rickard
Patsy Everson
I am truly sorry to hear about Aunt Rheas passing. My heart goes out to Uncle Murray , Bonnie and David and to all of the other family members . I have fond memories of visiting when we were children always made us feel speacial will miss her
Cy &. Eleanor Blommaert
Our deepest Sympathy to you and your family…Murray
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs
Catharina de Haan
Dear Murray, or as we taught our kids to say Mr. Greene!
All of Exeter knows who you are but we don’t expect you to know us all. Want to express my heartfelt condolence to you, how hard it must be to say good-bye after such a long marriage. May God through your family + many friends provide comfort and love. We’ve missed seeing you out and about tipping your hat to the ladies.
With admiration and fondness !
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Murray, Bonita and family:
Sorry for your loss of Rhea, you have had a wonderful life together. May your memories of her bring you comfort in the future.
Our condolence to all.
Dave and Cathy
Yvonne/Jim Barnetson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Murray and family.
Remembering you having the store by my parents Mary and Glenn Fisher.
Sure you will have wonderful memories.
RIP Rhea.
Take care Murray.
Yvonne (Fisher) /Jim Barnetson
Karen L Brown
Murray and Family,
My deepest condolences to all of you. I have such fond memories of Rhea and always enjoyed stopping for a chat while out walking dogs. I smiled reading your love story in Rhea’s obituary and pray that in the months ahead your 70+ years full of memories will bring you comfort.
Hugs, Karen