Obituary of Reta Barbara Anne (Land) Rice

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Reta passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026, in Waterloo after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her immediate family.

Reta is survived by her beloved husband, Gordon; her daughter Valerie (Brian Smith); her son Alan (Anne); and her four granddaughters, Emily, Natalie, Katie, and Nicole.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Hugh Land (Peggy) and Marie Harris (Gordon), and her brother-in-law, Ron Rice. She will be fondly remembered by Gord's brothers and their spouses, Barry and Jenefer, Mike and Margaret, Peter and Jean, and by her sister-in-law, Lydia Rice. Reta will also be deeply missed by her many nieces, nephews, and their families. The family is grateful to niece, Rosemarie and nephew, Wesley for their support and companionship.

Born and raised in Rockwood, Ontario, Reta spent her childhood surrounded by family and community. After graduating from high school, she moved to Kitchener to work as a laboratory technician at K-W Hospital. It was there that life's greatest adventure began. She met Gord during a badminton game at the Granite Club, and as the saying goes, the rest is history. They married in 1962 and were approaching their 64th wedding anniversary.

Family was at the centre of Reta's life. She loved spending time together and created countless memories through family adventures. Among the favourites were a trip to Canada's East Coast in 1977, where Alan played his first game of golf and Valerie discovered a herd of frogs on a coastal beach, and a western trip in 1980 that included Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino, and Grouse Mountain. One unforgettable highlight was spotting Terry Fox near Thunder Bay during his Marathon of Hope. Golf became a beloved Rice family pastime, and Reta delighted in improving her game so she could join Gord, Valerie, and Alan as the family's perfect foursome.

Reta generously shared her talents with her community. She stepped forward as a Girl Guide leader when Valerie's unit needed help and remained involved for many years, ultimately serving as Treasurer for the Waterloo Division. She also dedicated her time to helping newcomers to Canada learn English, finding great satisfaction in supporting others as they built new lives. In later years, she found joy and friendship singing with the Generations Choir at the Church of the Holy Saviour.

Following her retirement as an office manager with a Waterloo construction firm, Reta and Gord embraced opportunities to travel together. They enjoyed adventures with friends throughout Portugal, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Later, they spent winters in Hilton Head, where Reta could often be found cycling along the beach while Gord honed his golf game. One especially treasured journey was a Danube River cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

As Valerie's and Alan's families grew, so did Reta's greatest joy: caring for her family. She was a devoted cook who mixed love into every meal she prepared. She was especially known for her strawberry jam, grape pie, and truly any pie she set her mind to baking. Her chocolate birthday cakes disappeared quickly, often seeming to vanish in a single sitting. Every meal reflected the care, thoughtfulness, and precision she brought to everything she did.

Family gatherings were filled with puzzles, crafts, games, and laughter. Her four granddaughters brought immense happiness to her life, and she cherished every opportunity to create memories with them. Whether gathered around a puzzle table, working on a craft, or engaged in a spirited game of Upwords, Reta made ordinary moments feel special.

An avid reader and passionate gardener, Reta possessed a gift for making the world around her more beautiful. Her gardens were legendary, filled with blooms of every colour and height, ensuring something was always in flower from spring through fall. Hummingbirds were frequent visitors, drawn to the welcoming oasis she created. Through the cuttings she lovingly shared, pieces of her gardens continue to flourish in the homes of many family members.

Above all, Reta will be remembered for her love of family, her generosity of spirit, and her quiet dedication to the people she cared about. Her warm smile, gentle nature, and genuine kindness put people immediately at ease. She had a gift for making family, friends, and even strangers feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. She found her greatest happiness in caring for others and celebrating the lives of those around her.

Reta and Gord shared a remarkable love story that spanned more than six decades. Their marriage was built on mutual respect, unwavering trust, resilience, dependability, and a steadfast devotion to one another. Through life's celebrations and challenges, they remained true partners. The deep and abiding love they shared set a powerful example for their children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. We are all better for having witnessed it, and grateful to carry its lessons forward.

Special thanks to Dr. Mary DeCarolis of the oncology unit at WRHN (Midtown).

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Friday August 21, 2026 from 12:30 – 2 p.m.  Funeral service will follow in the chapel at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room.

In memory of Reta, donations can be made to the Church of the Holy Savior (33 Allen St E Waterloo) or to the Waterloo Region Health Network Foundation- Cancer Care. Condolences for the family may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.