RIVETT: Willa

Passed away at Stratford Memorial Hospital on Tuesday August 8, 2017 at the age of 92. Cherished  mother of Michael Rivett of Goderich and mother-in-law to John McDonald of Kitchener. Willa will be missed dearly by her grandchildren Jeffrey, Jennifer, and Christopher and their respective spouses Nadine, Matthew, and Kathleen as well as her great-grandchildren Sophie, Isla, Ewan, and Guinevere. Willa was predeceased by her husband Elliot and her daughter Lynne. Willa was born in Woodstock on May 12, 1925. Willa and Elliot owned Rivett’s Ltd and operated it for over 60 years on The Square in Goderich. She was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, was an active member of the Circle of Friends, and volunteered for many organizations. Willa received the Gadon Award for her significant contribution with the Alzheimer’s Society of Huron County. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed knitting, quilting, and many other crafts. In 2000, Willa volunteered for the All Years GDCI reunion and enjoyed many close friendships for years afterwards with the others involved. Her father, Percy James, fought at the battle of Vimy Ridge and his letters home were featured in the movie “Vimy Ridge: Heaven to Hell”. Her dream was to get to the Vimy War Memorial in Normandy and at the age of 90 she made the pilgrimage to Vimy with her grandson Jeffrey and his wife Nadine. Following Willa’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends are invited to share their memories of Willa at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, 11 Cambria Road East, Goderich, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 p.m.  Friday, August 18th, 2017. The funeral service will be held at Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich on Saturday, August 19th, 2017 at 11 a.m. Internment at Maitland Cemetery, Goderich. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Willa may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation through the funeral home.