Obituary of Celia Ricker

Celia Ricker (nee Scarth), a woman of deep faith, love, and service, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Regina General Hospital, following an extended stay. Born on April 8, 1940, in Grande Prairie, AB, to Bill and Lorna Scarth. Celia led a vibrant and impactful life.

Celia started her career as a dedicated educator who earned her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta, after which she taught high school for two years. Her life took a significant turn when she met the love of her life, Owen Ricker, at St. Paul's United Church in Edmonton. The couple wed on July 14, 1962, and were blessed with two children, Laurie and Darryl.

Celia devoted her early adult years to motherhood and community service. She was an active member of the United Church community in Alberta and Saskatchewan, leading the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and contributing significantly to the United Church Women (UCW), including as President.

At the age of 40, Celia felt a divine calling to serve in the ministry. She took up training at the University of Regina and St. Stephen’s College, where she became a dedicated diaconal minister. Over the years, Celia worked with various churches in Regina, including Lakeview, Knox-Metropolitan, Wesley, Whitmore Park, Rosemont, and a three-point country charge in Cupar, Southey, and Earl Grey.

Celia’s service extended beyond the church to the broader community as well. She was deeply committed to ministering to Indigenous community members in Regina’s downtown and was an active member of Regina's Canada week committee. Her love for music was evident in her regular participation in church choirs and the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre, even gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall with the Wesley Choir in 2019. Celia and Owen provided scholarships for musical theatre for the Regina Music Festival, encouraging young talent in their community. She was also passionate about theatre, having had lead roles in high school plays and later taking Drama courses at university.

Celia and Owen enjoyed travelling together and saw much of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands. They cherished visits to their grandchildren Elizabeth, Ethan, Ronan, Alina, and Jonah in Ontario and New Brunswick. New York City, Stratford, and Niagara-on-the-Lake were favourite destinations, often marked by their shared love for plays and musicals. They were also stalwart supporters of local arts, regularly attending the Regina Little Theatre, the Globe Theatre, and Do It With Class.

Celia's Life will be Celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29,2023 at Wesley United Church, 3913 Hillsdale Street, Regina, SK. In lieu of flowers, Celia's family kindly requests donations to the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, an organization close to her heart. Celia’s compassionate spirit, dedication to service, and love for her family and community will forever be remembered. She will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her.