DENA RIES
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
So sorry to hear about Dena.
She always seemed so happy.
Treasure the memories and the time that you had together.
Sandra and Paul
Dena was such a character and she always told stories of her daughter and grandchildren. Whenever I ran into her she had lots to tell. I know she will be greatly missed
She will be missed, always had a smile and her laugh was contagious Rip. My condolences Al and if you need anything just let me know
Jodi so sorry for the loss of your mom she was a wonderful beautiful lady ..
I’m at a loss for words and my heart is broken reading this. Dena and I worked together at Scotia Bank and we had many good memories together. She will never be forgotten and will be missed by all who knew her. Jodi and Family sending big hugs to you all.
Cannot believe it remember the good times with her and she’ll always be with you. She was such a character. Well, I knew her when she worked at the credit union and in the Toronto Dominion had lots of laughs with a coffee breaks as I worked at the Royal Bank. Also new her when she started dating Al and her conversations about the dates
So very sorry to hear of Dena’s passing She was a wonderful friend for over 50 years…..First met Dena working at Niagara Finance in Summerside in 1966….I had been transferred there from Cape Breton…we became immediate friends….that smile of hers would light up any room….Deepest condolences to Al and all the family……Darrell and Marybelle
Our condolences to Allen and the family. Dena was a remarkable woman and will be greatly missed.
Al and all of Dena’s family we are so sorry for your loss she was a very fine person
I had the privilege to work with Dena at TD for eight years
You could never have a bad day when Dena was working as she was always smiling and laughing.
She was a joy to have working.
Remember the good times (there are many)and she will always be with you
Don and Holly Findlay
So sorry to hear of Dena,s passing , We were childhood friends & she was a Bridemaid at my wedding in 1965 . Condolences to her family
I was so sorry to hear this sad news. I first met her when she worked at the Credit Union at Valley View Centre. She was a wonderful lady. Condolences to all her family and friends.
We are so very sorry for your loss. She was one of a kind , and always a phone call away if we needed a talk . Dena and I go way back to our teen years. We always got together when she came home to PEI. Sincere condolences to Al and her family. Gail and Jack
So sorry to hear of Dena’s passing, my condolences to all her family, I met her when she came to Calgary to visit her friend Gloria, she was a lovely lady and so nice .
I have known Dena for close to 60 years. I remember Jodi when she was just a little girl. Dena and I played tennis often and I was very fond of her. We were in touch just a short time ago when she was hospitalized. She was a remarkable person and loved you Jodi so much. I am at a loss for words. God bless her and all of you. Cherish her me, I will.
Jodi … Sooo sad to hear of your mom’s passing! She was a character! Cherish all your wonderful memories..
Dena, you will be missed, there is a hole in the fabric of the lives of all who knew you.
Y deepest sympathy to the family
Our sincere sympathy! Dena and I became friends in 1977 and stayed in touch , I visited her in moosejaw a few years ago , she will be greatly missed she was a great lady ! please pass on our message to Al
So very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing, she was one in a million. Very kind, wonderful, helpful person, never without a smile on her face. Keep the memories of her close, she will always be with you. Take care of loved ones
Our deepest condolences to Al, Jodi, Haylee, Rose and families. There are no words adequate enough to express how deeply sorry we were to hear of Dena’s passing. We pray that you will find comfort with all the special memories she has left for us to cherish. She was an extraordinary person and a great friend to us.
Dave and Gisele
Jodi and family my deepest condolences on the loss of your mother.
My condolences to Dena’s entire clan, she will be missed! Such a great lady who’s memories will be cherished. Thank you Dena for blessing us and giving us all such wonderful people in our lives❤️
I am forever grateful for you
Sincere condolences to Dena’s family. May she rest in peace.
Dena and I and my husband grew up and went to school together in Miscouche. P.E.I. Dena was always the same, full of fun and always smiling. We visited her in 1994 in Moosejaw on our way out west on a holiday, she talked our ear off and hadn’t changed a bit. We were so shocked to hear of her passing. Our sincere condolences to all her family.
We known Dena since we were teenagers.Always smileing and positive.We were shocked at her passing.Al and family our condolences.Bob and Shirley Gallant
I knew Dena when we lived on PEI during the 70’s ….she would have us over before the dances in Sside.She moved out west and we lost touch until Facebook where we reconnected…she was a lovely lady who loved her family.My sincere condolences to her daughter Jodi and her husband Al..and extended family members.
Faye Jewell
Shocked and saddened to hear of Dena’s passing. The last memory with her and Al
was a 3 hr lunch with them in Feb 2020, picked us up at hotel and remininised for sure. We enjoyed their hospitality.
Our sincerest sympathy to Al, Jodi and family and Rose and Family
Noel and Elaine Gaudet
Jodi, Al, and family, my sincere condolences. I got to know Dena at 15 Wing many, many years ago and was always a pleasure to see her smiling face when going to the bank. I always enjoyed seeing her and catching up a bit whenever we ran into one another. She had a wonderful sense of humour and love of life. She will be greatly missed. My sincerest sympathy.
So very sorry for your loss. She was such a colourful woman. Will be missed by many
My sincere condolences to Al and family. I know Dena will be missed. Thinking of you Al during this most difficult time…Jane from Home Building