Passed peacefully away at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s on September 7, 2022 in the presence of her family, Rhoda Reid. Predeceased by Stanley, her beloved husband of 43 years; her parents, Majors Charles and Dr. Sarah Woodland; three brothers, Wilmore (and wife Maria), Gordon (and wife Lucy), and Bruce; three sisters, Major Alma Hewlett, Cora and Renée; stepson Gerald Reid; brother-in-law Albert (and wife Muriel), sisters-in-law, Minnie Smith (and husband Silas) and Marian LeDrew; nieces, Renée Young and Ruby (Reid) Fitzpatrick; nephews, Bruce Woodland Jr., Tom Hewlett and Ken Moore. Leaving to mourn and to celebrate her life are her four children, Carolyn (Ivan Hynes), David (Trish), Elizabeth (Perry Hynes) and Donald (Joanne); ten grandchildren, Andrew (Alice Brun-Newhook), Adrienne, Natalie, Nadia, Evan, Miriam, Jacob, Sam, Charlie and Sarah, and many nieces and nephews. Rhoda cherished her daily telephone conversations with her dear sister-in-law Edith Woodland and Grace Feltham, her friend of over 80 years.
Rhoda was born in St. John’s at the Salvation Army Grace Hospital. As the daughter of Salvation Army officers, she moved frequently throughout her childhood, living in various Newfoundland communities including Grand Falls, Grand Bank, Bell Island, Corner Brook and Deer Lake. Rhoda participated in her parents’ ministry as church pianist and organist. Following teaching appointments at Salvation Army schools in St. John’s and Deer Lake, as well as employment as a medical stenographer in St. John’s and Vancouver, she married the love of her life in December 1960.
Rhoda and Stan were devoted to each other and their four children. The Reid home was rich in love, laughter and music. Rhoda and Stan were blessed with the gift of hospitality and many will remember delicious meals served by Rhoda with Stan’s able assistance (often after multiple trips to the grocery store to supply a single meal!). Even weekday family dinners at home always included a homemade dessert, and every holiday meant that the house would be festively decorated in the appropriate colours. Rhoda and Stan were excellent Rook and Scrabble players, hosting elaborate Rook dinner parties for their close friends. After their children were grown, they played Scrabble together every night – very competitively! Rhoda continued to enjoy playing, and usually winning, Scrabble to the very end of her life, playing two games the day before she went to the hospital.
Rhoda was a natural with young children, both as a classroom teacher and then as Primary Leader at the SA St. John’s Temple for over 25 years. Every child who attended her Sunday School felt welcomed and special, particularly when sitting on the regal “birthday chair” built by Stan. Rhoda loved being a mother and a grandmother. Her four children and later, her ten grandchildren, were her pride and joy. She had endless patience and unconditional love for each of her grandchildren.
Rhoda had a gracious and elegant presence, often described by others as a “true lady”. She was a woman of strong faith and loved “God and the Army”. She loved to participate in worship and listen to Christian music. Since 2020, she thoroughly enjoyed watching the online services of several Salvation Army and United churches. We rejoice in knowing that she is reunited with loved ones in heaven, singing “If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now!”
Thank you to Dr. Mark Borgaonkar and the nursing staff of the Health Sciences emergency room and 4 North B for providing sensitive and professional care in her last days. Special thanks as well to family physicians Dr. Noreen Fardy and Dr. Amy Sheaves, and Dr. Angelique Myles of the Eastern Health Geriatric Clinic, as well as the staff of TLC Nursing and Homecare Services. We are especially grateful for the loving companionship and care provided by Medina, her beautiful home care worker, in recent months.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army Temple Youth Ministries. Visitation will be at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Rd., St. John’s on Saturday, September 10, 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at the Salvation Army St. John’s Citadel, 25 Adams Ave., Sunday, September 11 at 2:00 pm with interment to follow at the Salvation Army Blackmarsh Rd. Cemetery.
Copy Link SMS Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rhoda Louise Reid Woodland July 15 1929 to September 7 2022..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N