Obituaries

JEANNETTE CHARBONNEAU
(nee LACHANCE)
   It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 of our family’s matriarch, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.    Jeannette will be dearly missed by her devoted spouse of 55 years, Marcel; her son Dan (Lorie); daughter Melanie (Ron); grandchildren, Kate, Jessica, Luke, Ben and step-grandchildren Zach, Josh and Andrew; brother Ronald (Lynne); two sisters, Eva (Bob) and Pat (Jim); and in-laws, Armande (Lionel) and Orval (Donna). Also very saddened by her passing are all her nieces; nephews; and godchildren – Yvette, Michelle, Alain, Gilles, James, Lise, Christine, Mandy, Darcy, Matthew, Mark, Lisa, Tim, Jackie and Catherine. She was predeceased by her parents and her older sister Dolores.   Jeannette was born the middle child of five children of Zephirin and Helene (nee Rivard) Lachance, on a farm near Elie, Manitoba. She was one very special person. She thrived on life and on her family and friends. Jeannette’s grandchildren were always at the forefront of her life. She had a strong and passionate connection to each one of them and relished in the moments shared together. Many happy memories will remain with us forever especially the times spent at the family cottage at Victoria Beach and our numerous ski holidays. She was by all accounts “Grand maman extraordinaire”.    Jeannette was adventurous and interested to learn more about others’ cultures, histories, arts and geographies. Life’s passions led her and Marcel with family and friends around the world – Portugal, Ecuador, China, Egypt, Kenya, Peru, France and Spain. If you were with her, you definitely had to keep up! She was always friendly and eager to try something new. She was open to conversation. Friendships came easily to Jeannette.    Along with extensive travelling, she was active in body and in mind. She was an avid walker, a cyclist, a golfer, a kayaker and a skier. Jeannette worked faithfully on her crosswords. Newspaper clippings adorned her kitchen cupboards or would appear at one’s door. She loved reading and her book clubs were precious to her.    Education meant everything to Jeannette. She spent a career as a French teacher, then as a teacher-librarian mainly with the Winnipeg School Division. Her glory years were at École River Heights School where a group of very talented teachers worked (and played) side by side for a number of years. Jeannette retired supposedly in 2003, however, she couldn’t quite leave the classroom, offering to support special projects and to substitute teach in the FI programs in St. James.   JC was generous with her time, energy and love. She was fun to be around. Her kindness extended not only to you but also to your spouse, children and grandchildren. With Jeannette on your side, you were in good hands and a delicious meal was likely in the works. She will be fondly remembered for her friendliness, generosity and caring. She helped and touched many people in her 75 years. Jeannette’s life’s values have set expectations high for us. She would want us to remember to always look after one another, to keep moving and to never stop learning.    A Celebration of Jeannette’s Life will be held on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, located in Charleswood, 4588 Roblin Boulevard, Winnipeg. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke, Ben and Mark Charbonneau, Tim Hope, James Grattan, Darcy Lachance and Alain Bernardin.   The family would like to send their gratitude to the staff at HSC Neurology, CancerCare McDermot Unit, the St. James Palliative staff, the staff at Riverview 3E and the loving caregivers at the Grace Hospice. Many of you have supported us along her journey and we are so grateful for your love.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9 or Doctors Without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/)   Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com