The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
DEENA ALBERTHA JACOBSON And RICHARD CHARLES DUNNE On December 23, 2005 a motor vehicle accident tragically took Deena and Ricky from us. Deena and Ricky are survived by a son Nolen, Deena's family, a brother Lionel (Lynn) DuBois, nephews and nieces: Barry and Brenda DuBois, Kelly and Sharon DuBois, Kerry DuBois, Carolynn and Dale Brightnose, Michael and Sheryl DuBois, Uncle Clarence Jacobson and Aunt Marie Chretien. Ricky's family, brothers and sisters; Eunice Dunne and Philip Sales, Peter and Linda Dunne, Robert and Helen Dunne, David and Christine Dunne, Martin and Vera Dunne, Elizabeth and David Walker, Sylvia and Amon Hagan, Kevin Dunne, Pamela and Neil Thompson, Barry and Josie Dunne, Colin Dunne; several nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and extended family survive both. Deena was born April 14, 1960 to Lefty and May Jacobson at Flin Flon, Manitoba. They lived at the mink ranch at Schist Lake and then moved to Creighton where Deena went to elementary school. She graduated from Hapnot Collegiate in 1980 and then moved to Cranberry Portage. From there she went to KCC in The Pas where she graduated from accounting. She then realized that this was not her life's ambition so she decided to enter the BUNTEP program where she became a teacher with a well deserve 4.0 grade point average. Nolen was born in October of 1992, which made her family complete. She then applied for a teaching position at Joe A. Ross School and was hired in February of 1993. She moved to The Pas to be closer to her job. She resided there until the time of her death. Ricky was born January 28, 1950 to Doris Lillian Delphine and George Dunne in Bath, Somerset, England. He was educated in Lidget Green and Princeville Secondary. He joined the army in 1970 until 1992 until his retirement. Ricky served in the regular forces, in Yugoslavia, Bosnia, the Gulf and Kosovo. If you wanted to know anything about Stone Hedge, the Royals, Coronation Street, or Nottingham all you had to do was ask him. He knew the history and everything you wanted to know. Ricky was an avid OCN Blizzard fan, and his all time favourite sport was soccer. He also lived in Nottingham, moved to Canada and The Pas until the time of his death. Edwin Jebb and Lynn DuBois delivered the eulogy for Deena and Ricky. Edwin spoke about Deena's professional career and Ricky's commitment to Deena. Deena Jacobson went to work for Opaskwayak Education Authority Inc. in February 1993. She taught mostly in junior high except for the final year when she taught a group of special education students. As a northerner, Deena Jacobson proved that the BUNTEP training was and is a success as she remained in the north and remained with Joe A. Ross all of her career. During her time as a teacher, Ms. Jacobson, along with other jr. high teachers spearheaded some initiatives in the jr. high program. These initiatives were undertaken in order to empower the student with activities such as a fashion show and a jr. high prom - which we still have to this day. Later in her career, Ms. Jacobson helped organize the first provincial science fair hosted by a First Nations in Manitoba. She was also involved in mini Olympics for special needs students. Ms. Jacobson was a dedicated teacher who tried to help the students in the best way she knew how. She did this without solving the problems for the students, but giving them the skills to help solve the problems themselves. In the latter part of her career Deena developed a sickness called Multiple Sclerosis, which put her in a wheelchair. At first her sickness let her down, but she was able to overcome this and came back to work with added vigour. Her husband Rick was always there for her, including driving her to and picking her up from school every day. Her husband Rick loved Deena Jacobson unconditionally. For this she inspired the students and the staff with her courage and proved you can be physically challenged but still contribute 100%. In the spring, as a tribute to Deena Jacobson, a tree will be planted outside at Joe A. Ross School in her honour and a picture of herself and Rick will be on display in the library at Joe A. Ross with the following inscription: Deena Jacobson; 1960 - 2005, In admiration of her strength, courage, and dedication to teaching the children of Joe A. Ross School. Ricky Dunne; for providing the continued support and unconditional love to Deena. Lynn spoke on their personal life together: It was a year ago I stood in front of you to say farewell to Grandma May, I never thought I would be here again so soon to say farewell again to a couple so young. Our hearts are very heavy these days but our hope is that Deena and Ricky are happy together, wherever they are. Deena lived with Grandma May her whole life until Grandma May's health moved her to St. Paul's. Deena took this very personally; she wanted to care for Mom at home, but what she didn't realize at the time was that she was sick herself. She was eventually diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and was confined to a wheelchair. Through all of this her rock, a saviour, was an English gentleman by the name of Richard Dunne. The love story starts with an Internet connection. Ricky came to visit a couple of times and that is how it began. Ricky gave Deena love that some of us never find. The important thing Ricky did for all of us was love Deena unconditionally. He took her illness on as part of their life and it never slowed them down. He took her travelling to England, Ottawa, B.C., Alberta and to Winnipeg. They came to Cranberry Portage often to be with us, we would go shopping to Flin Flon or just visit family. When Ricky came along there were many things we had to adjust to. There was his lovely accent, his passion for soccer and we had to learn a few new words such as; give over, you filthy sod, ohy, and that he weighed 15 stone! Ricky called all of us sweetheart. When it came to Nolen, Deena was very protective, sometimes over protective. She reminded me at times of a pit bull ready to pounce. She expected nothing less than good manners, respect for his elders, and brush those teeth after every meal. Nolen had the best of both worlds from Deena and Ricky; sometimes I think it was a competition to see who could out do the other when it came to material things and affections. So today our wish as a family is that you remember this couple for all their strengths, love and commitment; that as you watch their son grow up, you will tell him all about your memories of the people who loved him and all that he meant to them. I know a day won't go by that I won't sorely miss the company of Deena or pay for the distraction of Ricky with the wee ones. At times it takes my breath away even thinking of life without them. But life will go on, one day at a time. Every day bringing a flash of memory of this time and that; because of that I will know that not now or ever will they be forgotten. They will go on forever being loved by their family. Their memories forever treasured by us all. On Wednesday, January 4, 2006, there was a memorial service of remembrance for Deena and Ricky at the Church of Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, presided by Rev. Jim Sayese and Rev. Verna Jebb; organist was Jerry Henderson, and the OCN Cree singers. Evening prayers were at Dadson Funeral Home, with Rev. Raymond Knight leading the prayers. On Thursday, January 5, 2006, a service of remembrance was held at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Raymond Knight and Ven. Grahme Spears. Deena and Ricky were laid to rest together at Hillside Cemetery in Flin Flon. Deena's wishes were to be cremated and Ricky's wishes were a military service. Legion rites for Ricky were conducted by the Flin Flon Royal Canadian Legion Branch #73. On Monday, January 9, 2006, a memorial service for Deena and Ricky was held at Joe A. Ross School with staff and students, led by Rev. Verna Jebb, and the OCN Cree Singers. We as a family have no words to express our thanks to everyone who helped us through this painful time. To the community of Cranberry Portage, our heartfelt thanks to everyone who brought food, flowers, donations, sympathy cards, phone calls, visits, people who came and sat with us, comforting words, prayers, church services, and the services that were held in England, for family who couldn't be here. Thanks to the ladies who prepared our suppers, came to the house and waited for people to bring food while we were away. It was a comfort to us all. Thank you to the pallbearers, Ricky's brothers Barry and Bob, Darren and Jeff Betteridge, Mike and Les Vancoughnett. Diane Steeves, with friends and Deena's family who provided the lunch after the service at St. Ann's Parish Hall, we thank you. To Opaskwayak Cree Nation for the memorial services, all the phone calls, to the staff and students at Joe A. Ross School who supported us, also the lunches provided for the family after the services. The OCN Cree Singers who sang, you were really great. Special thanks to Edwin Jebb, Director of Education, who spoke at all three services, with words of inspiration and how Deena and Ricky will be missed at the school; also thanks to Diane Rosteski and Hayley Moore for looking after the memorial book, to Brian Jesso and Murray Steeves who were ushers. Theresa Hiebert, thanks for the beautiful solo you sang "On Eagle's Wings", was so appropriate. To Grahme Spears who called every night from the night of the accident until after the service to make sure we were holding it together. Rev. Raymond Knight, who did the prayer service and funeral, helped us with the readings and picking out music for the service. The organist Mark Kolt did an amazing job, thanks. Ricky's brothers, who also travelled so far to be with us. Barry and Bob were overwhelmed with the compassion and sympathy given to all of us. Darren and Dana were awesome with guidance, comforting words, and answering our many questions; it was much appreciated by the family. Honourary pallbearers were all of Deena and Ricky's nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, all students and staff, past and present, from the Joe A. Ross School, as well as everyone whose life was touched by knowing Deena and Ricky. If we've missed anyone, for that we apologize. We will always be grateful to everyone who helped make our days pass just a little easier. God bless. Thanks from all of us. Nolen Jacobson Lionel and Lynn DuBois and family Barry and Bob Dunne and family
