Rhea Livingston (Sharpe)

July 18, 1917-January 24, 2012

Peacefully with family members by her side, Rhea passed away in the early hours of January 24th at the Carman Hospital, where she had received wonderful compassionate care for the past month. '

Rhea was predeceased by her parents George and Margaret, her husband, of 55 years, Ivan in 1995 and an infant daughter in 1949, and all her siblings, Bill, Elton, Vietta (Cruise), Marguerite (Wallman), Doreen (Brown) and Georgina, and also most of Ivan's family of brothers Bob and Mac, sisters Audrey (Weir) Barbara, (Duncan) and Edith (Cryderman).

She is survived by her children Doug (Sandra) at Rosebank, Margaret (Tom) Edmunds of Souris, Pat Nickel and partner Bob Donaldson of St. Norbert, and special niece Sherry (Neil) McQuarrie of Brandon. At last count there were nine grandchildren, including Sherry's two daughters, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by Ivan's remaining sister, Beryl Gunderson (98) of Rochester Minnesota, brother in law Ivan Brown (93) of B.C. and many other special nieces and nephews.

Rhea was born in Carman, and lived her early years with her parents on a farm in the Sharon District, north of Miami. When her brother Elton took over the farm in 1938, she moved with her parents to Miami, and shortly after started dating Ivan.  Married in the summer of 1940, they moved onto the Livingston Family farm, south of Rosebank, in 1942, where she remained until 1997.

While on the farm raising her family she and Ivan were avid curlers, a 4H leader, and helped with many functions in the Ager School District. She loved to entertain friends and family, Rhea was a loyal church member at Rosebank and then at Miami working with the United Church Women group, she was a member of the Rebecca Lodge for 60 years.  Her decision to move to 5th Ave SW in Carman in Oct. 1997 was pushed along by a snowstorm in March that left her doors at the farm house blocked, and the yard inaccessible for two days. It was a great move, as many of her Rosebank, Miami and Roland friends lived in the same area. She was a great supporter of the Active Living Center, and until last summer she was very active playing cards and in other social activities in town.

She will be missed by her many friends and family alike.

Rest in Peace Rhea.

A memorial service will be held at the Carman United Church, Saturday January 28th at 11 AM. A private internment will have take place at Morden earlier in the day. If people wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Active Living Center in Carman.