Denise Sylvia Rikley

Denise Rikley (nee Burgess), of Pembroke, loving wife of the late Don Rikley. Beloved mother of Christine (Terry), Anne, and Kevin (Marg). Proud Grandmother to Kaitlyn (Ansu), Erik (Rhiannon), James, Jake, Quinn, and Jackson. Sister to Lois (Bob), late Carole (Charlie), and late Neil (late Joan).

Denise was calm, friendly, well liked, church going, civic minded.

When first married, she worked as a medical secretary in Scarborough where they bought their first house. Denise and Don then moved to Campbellford, Renfrew and finally settled in Pembroke in 1969, where they raised 3 children, Christine, Anne and Kevin. Not only a devoted wife/mother but an outstanding homemaker. She supported her family in many ways; managing household finances, driving kids and “being there”. Denise was a lovely lady who volunteered for The Alexandria Club, helped at Holy Trinity Church’s Bazaars making items and helping with sales, (Don and Denise were long time members of the church) and she delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. She was also an avid bridge player, skier, knitter, curler, hiker, canoer and badminton player -always on the go!

When Dad retired, she went back to work – doing the accounting at the Hager’s SportsMart downtown Pembroke for her friend the late Glenna Taylor. She joined Glenna at Riverview Heights where it was nice to have a friend and where her longtime friend Billie Fraser came to live a short time ago.

Denise’s hobbies were many – bridge #1, rug hooking, knitting, curling, badminton, sewing (she even did skirt sets and bathing suits) and baking. She was an avid skier, which was cut short by the Gillian Barre Syndrome she contracted in the 90’s. She was an excellent bridge player and enjoyed playing for years at the Duplicate Bridge Club. Mom was great as well in playing bridge with family members, where her patience stood out in teaching us all by looking in our hands to give advice, and then forgetting moments later when she played her cards.

Her sister Lois remembers that in high school, she was top of her class every year. She participated in basketball and volleyball teams at school.

Mom’s favourite place was the cottage, where she spent two months every year in the summer. She was a devoted wife and mother and was an outstanding homemaker. She was very much in charge of her kitchen and would only relinquish some authority in her later years. She baked bread and would cook all the family meals, allowing others only to do dishes and make soup afterwards. She baked multiple desserts for every family event along with a few containers of “nuts and bolts” for the grandkids. She was also an accomplished gardener, and had large beautiful gardens with a view of the Muskrat River behind their house on Rivercrest Drive.

Mom spent the last six years at Riverview Heights retirement home, four of them with her husband, Don. She enjoyed it there and received excellent help in her later years. She enjoyed visiting Marianhill for their Wednesday program. She was always available to lend a sympathetic ear via phone calls or visits. She was a great person and enjoyed a great life!

The family will receive friends at Malcolm, Deavitt & Binhammer Funeral Home, 141 Renfrew St., Pembroke on Saturday, June 21, 2025 for memorial visiting from 1:00 p.m. until time of a memorial service in the Chapel at 2:00 p.m., with fellowship, light refreshments and interment in Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery to follow. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Canadian Cancer Society, Heart & Stroke Foundation or Alzheimer Society of Canada appreciated.