Obituary of Sylvia Riddy

Obituary of Sylvia Hope Riddy “Nanny”

November 14, 1939 – September 6, 2024

With sadness and love, the family of Sylvia Hope Riddy (nee Haniak) of Yorkton announce her passing on September 6, 2024.  Sylvia was the firstborn child of George and Sophie (Keneschuk) Haniak.  She spent her early years living with her parents in the Drobot area where her little brother Bill (William Wayne Martin) joined the family seven years later. Tragedy struck the family when Sophie became ill with cancer and died in 1947. As it was in those days, Sylvia and Bill were sent to live with relatives in Buchanan.  Sylvia and Bill returned to live with their Dad in Calgary in 1954, and that is where she saw “the man she was going to marry” standing on a balcony.  Sylvia and Alex Riddy were united in marriage on August 30, 1958.  They built a life on the farm in the Bredenbury area and worked hard to make a home for their four children, Albert, Ross, Val, and Sharon. 

After leaving the farm in 1977, Sylvia worked in various retail jobs, selling clothing, jewelry, health foods, and ceramics. She loved to paint and craft and spent many hours at her desk making things for her family and friends, but her greatest gift was the ability to make others laugh with her jokes and tricks. She had some of the longest running stories of pranks she had pulled and was always looking for another one.   Sylvia was blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  Thinking of them brought a smile to her face and a twinkle in her eye as they are family and therefore consistent people to play tricks on. 

Her heart and spirit were broken when the love of her life passed away in June 2023.  This combined with the loss of her sons and failing health took its toll on her.  She is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Alex; her sons Albert and Ross; parents, George and Sophie; stepmom Minnie; brothers-in-law, Ross, Wally and Arnold; and sister-in-law Charlotte.  She leaves to cherish and honor her life her children Val (Keith) and Sharon (Neil); daughter-in-law, Laura; grandchildren Amanda (Jon); Quailla (Mike), Stacy, Kristofer, Ledyn (Emma), Hana (Devon), Riley (Emily) and Dylan (Tanya) and great-grandchildren; Jordan, Storm,  Levi, Kane, Tyson, Ava, Scarlett, Jack; brother Bill (Rosina), sisters-in-law, Sheila and Pauline; and numerous special nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and many friends.