Obituary of Marna Riopel

The family of Marna Kathleen Riopel are heartbroken to bid farewell to our mom & nana on September 5, 2025 … we were not at all ready but feel blessed with the peaceful passing she was graced. 

Marna was born in Haileybury, Ontario, 1939 and spent most of her younger years in Schumacher as one of five siblings. She married Robert MacElwee in 1960 and spent 6 yrs living in many Ontario towns as the wife of a bank manager. In 1966 she returned to Schumacher with 3 small children on her own and braved the challenges of a being single mom. 

She married Gerald Riopel in 1972 in Schumacher and in 1973 they made a big move to Kitchener Ontario where Jason was born. Gerry and Marna spent lots of years in the KW Optimists supporting their kids through their Ventures and Dutch Boy Drum Corps years. They were active members of the Doon Presbyterian church for over 40 yrs and developed lifelong friendships within the church family. 

Mom was an avid knitter and seamstress and painter making many lovely and treasured gifts over the years. 

Mom and dad travelled lots in their senior years until his passing in 2013 and then her and her treasured travel buddy Cathy did many more adventures after that. 

In 2022 we moved her west to the little town of Lafleche, SK to be closer to her daughters and western grandkids. Although she missed dearly her friends and family from home she was blessed to enjoy small town life and traffic (for her continued independence) and almost daily visits with her granddaughter Shawna and great grandson Ryker which provided a daily dose of joy and laughter. 

Although her kids were scattered across Canada we managed regular visits and to stay connected as a family. It was a full life. Not without challenges but filled with the love of family, very dear longtime friends and always new ones too. We are grateful for all those who enriched her life. She was so blessed and we were too. 

She was predeceased by brothers Albert & Dale Edwards, sister Sandy Venaase, Husband Gerald Riopel ex husband Bob MacElwee, son in law Barry Hiltz. 

Marna is survived by her brother Craig MacGregor; Daughter Wendy Hiltz, granddaughters Kira (Clinton) Glas with great grandchildren Kaydence and Trevyn; Kyrstin Hiltz; grandson Clay Hiltz (Courtney Wilkins). Daughter Heather Pluecks (Garth Flynn), grandsons Jonathon (Kirsten) Pluecks; Colton Flynn; Larsen (Nadine) Flynn with great grandchildren Ellerie & Levi; granddaughter Shawna Pluecks (Layne Langman) with great grandson Ryker;

Son Andrew MacElwee (Jayne Silvester), grandson Mathew (Taylor) MacElwee with great granddaughter Lennon; Son Jason Riopel (Terry-Lynn Boegel), grandsons Oliver, Alcide and Kalvin; Step daughter Carole-Anne Riopel; grandson Adam with great grandchildren Marshall, Anthony,  Wesley, Cuyler, Holly and Dylan; too many nieces and nephews from hers and Bob’s & Gerry’s siblings to list (but they are cherished). 

In the arms of the angels mama we love you. 

Funeral will be graveside at Doon Presbyterian Cemetery in Kitchener, Ontario on September 29, 2025, at 3:00pm. Reception and celebration of life at Crowsfoot Restaurant Sawmill Rd Conestogo, From 5-8pm. All friends and acquaintances welcome. Come and share your memories with us!

Donations in Marna’s memory may be made to St. Joseph's Hospital/Foyer d'Youville Foundation, P.O. Box 810, Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 or Doon Presbyterian Church, 35 Roos St, Kitchener, ON N2P 2B9.