February 16th, 1944 – October 11th, 2024
“When a person becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
Dena Marie Ries (née: DesRoches), a loving and caring wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt, great-grandmother and friend, has passed away at the age of 80 years, on Friday, October 11th, 2024.
Dena was born February 16th, 1944, in Miscouche, Prince Edward Island. She welcomed her daughter Jodi in 1971, and together, they moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in 1979. Dena met the love of her life, Allen Harris on October 19th, 2002, and they created a beautiful life together.
She was predeceased by her parents, Tilman and Corinne DesRoches; in-laws, Roy and Mary Harris; brothers-in-law, Paul Hickey and Ulric Gallant; as well as John Perry, Jodi's father. Dena will be dearly missed by her devoted husband, Allen Harris; daughter, Jodi (Mike) Beausoleil; granddaughters, Haylee (Mark) Bevan and Paige Beausoleil (Kieran); sister, Rose Gallant and her children: Michael, Greg (Colleen) and their children, Paulette (Donnie) and their sons, and Jeff (Crystal) and his children; sisters-in-laws, Doreen Hickey and Dianne (Dave) Harris, and their entire families; special friends, Diane Beausoleil and Diana Godin; her cherished great-grandchildren, Harper and Declan Bevan; as well as countless friends, who were like family.
Dena was an exceptional person. She was truly one of a kind, and such a light to those who had the honour of knowing her. She was a people person, who loved to talk, never stopped talking, actually. She couldn’t leave the house without running into someone she knew. She had a career in banking and was a very hard worker, who loved what she did and the people around her. She had an immense impact on many of her co-workers and customers lives, and her family members are often stopped by people in Moose Jaw who want to share stories about “Dena from the bank”. She had the biggest heart, a fierce streak of independence, a great sense of humour, was always smiling, had great rhythm, and she really cared for the people in her life.
Dena had a special relationship with her great-grandkids, Harper and Declan. She spoke to them on the phone weekly and saw them often, as she hated going more than a few days without seeing them. She always popped in for a short visit, spoiling them with toys and treats, and she babysat them all the time (after a quick trip to the Dollarstore to spoil them some more). The kids’ favourite things to do with their Meme was play cards, puzzles and games.
Dena loved being with family and friends, she loved music, dancing, and playing games and cards, but only if you played for money. She loved Bingo with her elephants, musicals, “decorating” Christmas cookies at the Godin’s, playing crib with Diane, and spending time at the socials in Rosewood! Her most recent favourite memory was her 80th birthday, over 100 people stopped in! In the early years, she looked forward to travelling "home" to Miscouche and Summerside on Prince Edward Island.
Dena loved travelling to visit friends, whether it be close to home, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon to see Paige, or further away in Yuma, Arizona or Palm Springs, California – she always spoke of those visits. She and Al spent many nights out dancing (where they first met each other), playing cards, watching movies, and date nights at Red Lobster, but they most enjoyed sharing the small moments together. One of the highlights of her life was the amazing trip she took with Al when they went on a Caribbean Cruise. She loved the music, entertainment, food, and especially, looking across the ocean at night. She was a Lobster Fisherman’s daughter, always drawn to the water.
A Celebration of Dena’s Life will be held on Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Church of Our Lady, 566 Vaughan Street, Moose Jaw, SK. The church is currently running a food drive to donate to Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s community schools. Please support this mission by bringing a nonperishable food item with you. A private ceremony will occur at a later date at Malpeque Bay, PEI. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Dena’s name may be made to the Canadian Lung Association, 885 Meadowlands Dr., Suite 502, Ottawa, ON K2C 3N2 https://www.lung.ca/donate. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com