Matriarch of Richardson family dies at 99 Awarded Order of Canada in 2003 for philanthropic endeavours Obituary
By: Kevin Rollason Posted: 12:43 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026 Last Modified: 3:40 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2026 Updates

The matriarch of the Richardson family — the last of a generation that included her husband, George, and his siblings James, Agnes, and Kathleen — has died.

Tannis Richardson died Monday. She was 99.

Premier Wab Kinew called Richardson a remarkable woman who made Manitoba a better place.

“Through her decades of service, from advancing diabetes research to strengthening health care and the arts, she showed what it means to turn privilege into purpose,” Kinew said Tuesday in a statement. “Tannis leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of giving that will inspire generations to come.”

“On behalf of the people of Manitoba, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends and all those whose lives she touched.”

Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba leader Obby Khan said Richardson’s legacy of generosity and compassion would be felt for generations.

“Through her lifelong commitment to advancing research and support for Type 1 diabetes, as well as her many philanthropic contributions, she made a profound difference in the lives of countless families across our province and country.”

The directors and shareholders of James Richardson & Sons announced the philanthropist and community leader’s death Tuesday, noting she was a devoted “mother, grandmother, great grandmother, community volunteer and a proud Canadian.”

“(She) was ever present throughout her husband’s career as president of James Richardson & Sons Ltd., offering support and encouragement.”

“She showed what it means to turn privilege into purpose.”

Richardson was born to Dr. Paul Thorlakson — a doctor who helped push for the creation of the Health Sciences Centre and was inducted into the Order of Canada — and her mother, Gladys Thorlakson, on July 14, 1926.

She married George Richardson in 1948 and they had four children, sons David and Hartley, and daughters Pamela and Karen. Both Pamela and Karen predeceased her.

After Pamela was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age nine, the Richardsons became committed to helping people with the disease.

The couple founded the Winnipeg chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in 1971 (now Breakthrough T1D), and she served in many roles including special fundraising chair, a member of the national and international boards, and co-chair of the Only Remedy is A Cure campaign for the foundation’s international chapter.

Richardson also founded A Starry, Starry Night, the Manitoba chapter’s successful annual fundraiser in 1988.

Former lieutenant-governor Janice Filmon knew Richardson for decades and remembered her as an elegant, beautiful woman.

“She was just such a promoter of Winnipeg and people and community,” Filmon said. “Her support of (the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s) Sistema — and it was not just giving financial support, but going to the concerts and getting dressed and going. It takes energy to do all these things.”

Filmon added that whenever Richardson called her, it was never for a trivial conversation.

“She always, in whatever she was involved in, said “How do we make something better? What needed to be done next? What would be the right next thing to do? Not everyone thinks like that.”

“She went through a devastating tragedy, but turned that into not wanting other families to go through what they did.”

Jessica Diniz, CEO and president of Breakthrough T1D, said juvenile diabetes research in this country wouldn’t be where it is today without Richardson’s support.

“She went through a devastating tragedy, but turned that into not wanting other families to go through what they did,” said Diniz.

Pamela became ill from the disease and died of it shortly before the age of 29.

Diniz said Richardson was instrumental in Manitoba to getting better coverage for people facing Type 1 diabetes and wider access to equipment to help.

“Manitoba is considered the gold standard for diabetes equipment coverage,” Diniz said. “I’m deeply saddened, but so grateful for her and for her family.”

Winnipeg’s mayor said the loss of Richardson would be felt across the community.

“Tannis once said ‘philanthropy not only supports causes financially, but includes volunteering your time and exerting oneself for the well-being of others. It could be a gesture, a smile, or a kind word. We can all be philanthropists.’ With every word and action, Tannis Richardson showed us this is true.”

Richardson also assisted many other local and national organizations over the years. She was honorary chair of both the Kidney Foundation of Canada and the International Conference on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. She was chair of the United Way’s Leaders of the Way initiative and board member of Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities.

“We can all be philanthropists.”

Richardson also served on the boards of the Paul H.T. Thorlakson Foundation, the Mrs. James A. Richardson Foundation, and Balmoral Hall and St. John’s-Ravenscourt schools.

In the arts scene, she was heavily involved with the development of the Winnipeg Art Gallery and served on the boards of the WSO, Rainbow Stage, Manitoba Opera, and the Canadian Association of Youth Orchestras.

For all of her accomplishments, Richardson was named to the Order of Canada in 2003.

Besides her two sons, Richardson is survived by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca