Retired school teacher, Irene (Campbell) Rigler was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1923. Irene will celebrate her 93rd birthday next week. Here is her story in a nutshell.
When Irene was six years old, a terrible drought in the Prairies sent the Campbell family west. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the government of British Columbia welcomed families into backwoods and undeveloped areas of the province. This is what brought Stanley and Mary Ann Campbell and their two children to the remote area of Vivian Lake in the year of 1929. Her father chose a quarter section of land right on the beautiful site of Vivian Lake and developed it into a productive farm and named it the Sylvan Glade Homestead; it is now known as the Vivian Lake Resort.
Irene took her elementary schooling at Sylvan Glade, attended Baron Byng High School in Prince George, then on to Normal School in Vancouver for her teachers' training. She taught at Port Hardy and Lytton and then got married in 1948.
She married returning soldier Robert Russell Rigler and they started their life together at Saxton Lake not far from Isle Pierre. While they were at the sawmill site of Saxton Lake they had two children, Glen and Corinne and together they focused on their family and the saw mill operations.
When their daughter Corinne became seriously ill, they moved to Prince George to be nearer to medical help for Corinne. Sadly, early in January of 1958 Corinne passed away at the age of six.
Time went by and two more children Kathleen and Dean were added to their family.
Glen, who was born in 1949, is a retired school teacher living in Victoria, Kathleen born in 1957 is an owner manager of a veterinary clinic in Smoky Lake, Alberta and Dr. Dean R Rigler, was born in 1964 lives here in Prince George.
Irene has six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Her husband passed away in 2004.
Irene taught school for many years here in Prince George. She taught as a substitute teacher for several years and then full time at Vanway Elementary for 18 years where she started the Vanway Elementary School choir.
Irene said, "After I retired I taught again as a substitute for a further 10 years. I just hated to give it up. The children and my profession were all so important to me. I would still be teaching today if I could.
"I spend most of my time writing my memoirs. I love any kind of dancing; I belong to the Square Dance Club and The Old Time Fiddlers and up to a few years ago, I was a member of the line dance group at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre on 10th Avenue. I enjoy attending musicals, dramas and symphonies and I stay active at St. Andrews United Church. I rarely miss the meetings of the Prince George Retired Teachers Association because it is the best way that I know of to stay in touch with other retired teachers in Prince George.
"I consider myself lucky; I have basically good health, many good friends and a great family."
Irene went on to say, "I am a descendent of Stanley and Mary Campbell. Their values and their struggles during the devastating effects of the Great Depression shaped my life. I see these same characteristics in my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and I am so proud of all of them."
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