Former Grande Prairie city councillor Helen Rice passes away

Rice was also known for her work as the head of the Grande Prairie Downtown Association, a role she held for 17 years until her retirement.

Among her many awards and acknowledgments throughout her career in the public service, Rice was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Alberta by Venture Magazine on two separate occasions (2009 and 2014).

For her dedication to the Grande Prairie community, the plaza in front of the downtown arena was renamed the Helen A. Rice Plaza in 2017.

Many in the community shared their thoughts on social media following Rice’s passing Sunday.

Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin

Former Central Peace-Notley MLA and Former Energy Minister Marg McCuaig-Boyd

The Royal Canadian Legion in Grande Prairie lowered its flags to half-mast Monday to honour Rice.

Current Grande Prairie city council member Gladys Blackmore had the opportunity to spend from 2001-2010 on council with Rice.

Blackmore says while they got off to a bit of a rocky start when she was first elected, they ended up becoming very good friends.

“Helen was a dear friend to me and the city and (had) an absolute encyclopedic grasp of what happens in municipal politics and how the city relates to the province and feds. She was an amazing resource,” she said.

“We might’ve had a bit of a rough beginning because I ran in 2001 (in support) of a smoking bylaw, which now seems crazy. At the time, smoking bylaws were the hot ticket item and I was very supportive of one and Helen was very non-supportive. We kind of started out with a rocky beginning, but I learned so much from her. I can’t express how thankful I am to have spent the time with her and the information I was able to gain from her.”

Wendy Bosch, now a member of city council and Rice’s successor as head of the Downtown Association, says Rice is one of the main reasons Downtown Grande Prairie has seen so much growth over the years.

“She is one of the big reasons there is growth in our city centre and that we’re going to be a vibrant community within the core. I hope to move that forward on her behalf.”‘

While she was important for downtown, Bosch added she was a role model for women in the community.

“Helen was one of the most genuine people. She means what she says, she says what she thinks and to go through a lifetime of politics and the Downtown Association in times where women weren’t as prominent, it takes someone who has drive and intensity to get things done. I’m very privileged to have her in my life, albeit, a short time.”

Councillor Chris Thiessen had a very close relationship with Rice, who joined her at the council table for her final term from 2013-2017.

Thiessen credits her for having a major impact on his career in office.

“Helen was larger than life. The things she did for this community in the time she did them was well ahead of where the world was at the time and where we ended up going. She was a bit of an innovative and revolutionary thinker,” he explained. “In so many ways, Helen was a pillar of the community. Wherever Helen went, she always represented Grande Prairie well and put us on the map across the country.”

Thiessen also described Rice as a great teacher, mentor and friend.

“She took me personally right underneath her wing. She always told me to never be afraid to speak up for what I believe in, or else things never change. She was a mentor, a teacher and just a great role model for how as community representatives we should hold ourselves in the public eye.”

Mayor Jackie Clayton also issued a statement regarding the loss of Rice, which can be read in its entirety below:

On behalf of City Council, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and all the many lives that have been touched by former City Councillor Helen Rice as the community mourns her passing.

Helen Rice is well known as being a remarkable community leader throughout her time in Grande Prairie, including a nearly 40-year tenure on City Council. Throughout this time, Rice made an indelible impact on all levels of government, including through appointments to the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.

During her 12 terms on Council, she had the honour of representing the City at events for the Duke and Duchess of York, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher and the Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

For her longstanding work and achievements, she has been honoured with several awards and recognitions including the Canada 150 Anniversary Medal of Honour, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, a Woman of Influence Award in 2018, and was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Alberta by Venture Magazine in 2012 and 2014.

More than that, Helen was known for her strong spirit, wit, and sense of humour. Her personality shone with equal parts grit and grace, and it was her commitment to building personal connections, fostering relationships, and mentoring new leaders that allowed her to have the great impact that she did.

Helen was a dedicated and determined community advocate, and her legacy lives on in many ways across the community. From Muskoseepi Park to the Street Performers Festival to our local recycling programs and countless other initiatives and services in between, Grande Prairie has grown into the regional hub it is today because of her hard work and belief in the vision of the city.

We are thankful for the unique and outstanding leadership Helen Rice brought to Grande Prairie and Alberta. We cherish the indominable spirit she has left behind and look forward to continuing to honour it through the many lives she has touched and stories she has passed down.

Flags will be lowered at City facilities in her honour the day of the memorial service once details are confirmed.

Jackie

(With files from Shaun Penner and Shane Clausing)

by EverythingGP Staff

Former Grande Prairie city councillor Helen Rice passes away

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