It is with love and gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Rilla Marion Monkman/Unger on February 24, 2026, at Concordia Hospital, at the age of 97. Surrounded by her family in her final days, she is now resting in the arms of her Savior.
Rilla was born on June 2, 1928, in St. Marys, Ontario to Lawrence and Lena (Boyd) Wright. She was a devoted mother to Mark, Don (Susan), Kent (Laurent), and Sheila Hunter. She was a proud grandmother to Jamie Monkman (Renée), Jonathan Monkman (Abigail), Stephanie Biswell (Daniel), Jenessa Hunter, Rachelle Hunter, and Jaron Harper, and a cherished great-grandmother to Cloude, Blade, and Raiden Hunter; Tekoa, Roman, Alfie, Evie, Izzie, and Benji Monkman; and Poppy and Theo Biswell.
She is survived by her beloved brother, Bill Wright, age 99, whom she remained close to in her final days. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Gerald Wright; her first husband, Everet Monkman, whom she married on July 15, 1961; and her second husband, John Unger, whom she married on October 7, 1995.
A dedicated educator, Rilla was herself a top student thoughout her schooling attending Bible school in London, Ontario and Normal School in Stratford. In 1951, she moved to Manitoba to teach at VanDusen School in Lake St. Martin. She continued teaching in Fisher Branch (1952–53), Nelson House (1953–56), Baker Lake, NWT (1958–60), and at Ralph Brown School (1960–61).
Rilla and Everet were married in July 1961. Their oldest child, Mark, was born in November 1962, followed by Don in 1964 and Kent in 1965. The family spent several years living in the North in Oxford House and Shamattawa, where Everet ministered in both Cree and English. Rilla remembered those years fondly, though they were not without challenges. With young children often ill, there were difficult times when they had to be flown out for medical care to The Pas or Winnipeg. The isolation and hardships eventually led the family to move to Winnipeg, closer to extended family and support. Rilla’s longing for a daughter was joyfully realized when they adopted Sheila Ann in the spring of 1969.
Rilla’s faith and quiet determination carried her through a cancer diagnosis in 1978 and personal trials during that same season of life. That same steadfast faith later enabled her to become a compassionate and attentive presence to dozens of prisoners across North America each week. Through more than 35 years of volunteer letter writing, she offered encouragement, wisdom, and hope in a sensitive, prayerful, and motherly manner. Deep and lasting bonds were formed with many of these often lonely, incarcerated individuals, reflecting her enduring commitment to sharing Christ’s love with those who felt forgotten.
Throughout her life, Rilla was committed to teach biblical stories to children, demonstrating her desire that each one experience the Lord’s love as she had experienced. Her legendary Sunday school lessons are fondly remembered by family and generations of children at First Nations Community Church.
In her memoirs, Rilla reflected thoughtfully on her life and character, acknowledging her quiet strength and resilience and that she often carried her emotions privately, sometimes at her own expense. In her final days, she grew weary and at times confused, and she spoke often of her longing for her eternal home.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the hospital staff, her home care workers, and especially her eldest son Mark, who cared faithfully for her during these final days.
A Celebration of Rilla’s Life will be held at First Nations Community Church, 44 Tentler Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Wake Service: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 5, 2026
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026
Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Intertribal Life Ministries — a ministry close to her heart and reflective of her prison correspondence work — would be greatly appreciated (PO Box 94, Langdon, AB T0J 1X0, Canada)
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