CAROLE DIANE RICKEY (Nee Habiluk)

October 6,1947 - October 22, 2025

It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce Carole's passing at the age of 78 on October 22, 2025, at Health Sciences Centre (HSC), surrounded by family she loved so much.

Carole was predeceased by her mother, Kathleen, father, Peter, nephew Corey Habiluk, sister-in-law, Teresa Habiluk, as well as her former husband, Ron Rickey. She is survived by her son, Jason Rickey, daughter, Allison Rickey and grandson, Taylor, all of whom live in B.C.

She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Patrick Habiluk, (nephew Jesse Habiluk, niece Sari Habiluk) and sister, Judy Allum and brother-in-law, Brad Allum, (nephew Chris Allum (Shawna Wolfe) and niece, Kelly Punzalan (Bryan), as well as their children, whom she adored, Pepper, Bowie, Olive and Tristan.

Born and educated in Winnipeg, Carole attended King Edward and Lord Nelson elementary schools and Sisler High School. Carole's lifelong goal was to be an operating room nurse. She completed the Winnipeg General Hospital Operating Room Technician (ORT) course and worked for many years as an ORT. Carole married Ron Rickey in 1969, and after a few years, son Jason was born in 1972 and soon after Allison arrived in 1973. Carole finally achieved her goal of becoming a registered nurse graduating from the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) School of Nursing in 1982. After 20 years together Ron and Carole parted but kept in close touch over the next 12 years until Ron's untimely death in 2002. Carole worked 16 years in the HSC operating room and over 19 years at St. Boniface General Hospital in various OR related positions and eventually branched out into continuing education and management. In March 2002, Carole was hired to work with the Fraser Health Authority at the Eagle Ridge Hospital site in Port Moody, B.C. as the Surgical Services Manager. Unfortunately, after suffering major health-related issues in 2004, Carole was forced into early retirement and eventually returned to Winnipeg in 2012 to be closer to family support.

Carole was a kind and generous person who dearly loved her family and friends. She also loved animals, especially her cats, Mandee and Tinsel. Carole made an impression upon people with her bubbly personality and her compassion towards others. She maintained many longtime friendships from high school classmates, work colleagues, and people she met through similar interests and backgrounds. She had the ability to connect with people and developed close relationships with her bingo friends. A pastime she looked forward to every week until her health limited her outings.

We are grateful for the exceptional and compassionate care provided to Carole by the doctors and nursing staff at HSC, GH6, and sincerely thank them for all they did for her.

As per Carole's wishes there will be no funeral service and a private family celebration of life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to any women's shelter, no-kill animal shelter, homeless shelter or a charity of your choosing.