Reta (Bidinosti) Ross

June 13, 1929 - September 1, 2021

It is with great sadness, the family announces the passing of Reta, age 92, on September 1st, 2021 at the Grace Hospital.

She will be sadly missed and remembered by her children; Linda (Arnie), Allan, step-daughter Mary-Jane (Jim) Farrow, sister-in-law Iris, cousin Joan (Phil) Trudeau, grand-children; Joey (Sandy), Shawndrea, Clayton, Lonnie (Julie), Terry, Sherri, Elizabeth, Christina, Matthew, great-grandchildren; Alysha (Johnny), Austin, Hailey, Caiden, great-great-grandson Rhys, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Reta was born June 13, 1929 in Teulon, Manitoba to Angelo and Nellie Bidinosti.  She was the oldest of four children.  Reta and her three brothers Victor, Kenneth and Jim, were all raised on the farm in Petersfield, and attended school in the Hartley District. 

Reta began working as a nurse’s aide at the Selkirk Mental Hospital, followed by a school teacher in Riverton, Manitoba.  This is where she met her first love, Dori Eastman.  They married in 1949, and raised three children Linda, Denyce and Allan.  Reta and Dori moved to Winnipeg in 1955, first living in West Kildonan, then on Sydney Avenue, then onto Fearn Avenue.  Reta then worked at Eaton’s downtown as a clerk, then on to Zellers.  While raising her family, she juggled working, growing a garden of veggies, raising a few pets, and her biggest passion growing flowers, fruit trees and loved her house plants.  Reta had a deep passion for the outdoors, and was a nature lover, always feeding the birds.  She loved being near the lake.  Family time was spent every summer camping in Nutamik, Winnipeg Beach, Patricia Beach, Lee River Falls, and her most recent “Happy Place” was in Lac du Bonnet, beside the Pinawa Channel, with a view of the water.

In the 70’s and 80’s, Reta became quite the sales lady.  She organized home parties throughout Manitoba, selling Copper Craft, to everyone she knew.  She became the Top Seller for two years in a row, earning her a “Dream come True” holiday to St. Martin, in the Caribbean.  Following that trip, she travelled to the West and East Coasts to visit with numerous relatives, and friends.  Approaching her retirement, Reta also sold jewellery, hosting “at home” parties.  Her final job was working at the lottery booth in the Polo Park mall, where she met her second husband, Des Ross.  They married on February 14th, 1987, and resided for a short time on Whellams Lane.  She and Des moved to a larger apartment on Henderson Highway, with a gorgeous view of the river.  Here, she hosted many Christmas get-togethers with her family.  Those special family dinners really meant a lot to her.  Reta and Des travelled many trips by car to the west coast, and even spent some time “house-sitting” in Victoria.  All summers were spent near Lac du Bonnet right up until September of 2020. 

Reta was a woman of great determination.  Even following a stroke in 2002, and losing the ability to drive, she always found a way to get to her “happy place” near Lac du Bonnet.  With the help of Faye and Helen, then later Joey and Lonnie, to pack her up and driver her to wherever she needed.  There was no stopping Reta.

Grandson’s Joey and Lonnie took over as her driver, and caregiver to help her with all of her needs.  Reta truly appreciated it very much.

Sincere and special thanks to Sylvie, Faye, August and Helen for keeping Reta and her apartment in good care.

Extra special thanks to Joey and Lonnie for their help, care, compassion, and ever-lasting Love for their Grandmother.

Reta was predeceased by her father Angelo, daughter Denyce, mother Nellie, first husband Dori Eastman, brothers Kenneth, Jim and Victor, husband Des, sister-in-law Helen and grandson Ross.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service which will be held on Saturday, September 25th at 11:30am at the Dunara Cemetery, Highway #8 at Anderson Road (#89 N), with Pastor John Thiessen officiating.  We will be following current Covid restrictions.

A “Celebration of Reta’s Life” will be held at a later date, when Covid restrictions are lifted for us to gather in her honor. 

Pallbearers will be; Joey Willis, Lonnie Pannell, Blaine Bidinosti, Clayton Lisowick, Bryce Jamerson and Troy Domenco.

The family would like to thank the staff at Park Manor Nursing home for their care for Reta, and also Thank you to the nurses and doctors at the Grace Hospital for their care and compassion in Reta’s final days.