As Ricard was in poor health and unable to travel to Ottawa for her induction, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson personally travelled to Sudbury in 2002 to present Ricard with the honour. Ricard died on June 2, 2003 in Sudbury, aged 96. Her funeral was held at the city's Sainte-Anne-des-Pins church, and was attended by dignitaries including businessman Paul Desmarais and former Governor General Roméo LeBlanc.