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LOUISE CHARETTE

LOUISE ELAINE CHARETTE (FEHR) Louise Charette passed away at Health Sciences Centre on July 18, 2012, at age 53 after a long struggle with leukemia. In honour of Louise's life, a bursary fund has been established in her name. Donations can be sent to: Red River College, C306-2055 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9 or www.rrc.ca\donate. If you are healthy and under 50, consider donating stem cells through OneMatch.ca. A celebration of Louise's life will be held Saturday, August 11, 2:00 p.m., at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 603 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. A longer obituary was published in the Winnipeg Free Press on July 21, 2012. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements, 204-775-2220.
Publish Date: Aug 10, 2012

LOUISE ELAINE CHARETTE (FEHR) As a motherless child acquainted with poverty, Louise dreamed of growing up to be a sophisticated, independent woman. She longed for a strong life partner, a tasteful home and meaningful work, and she was determined that her family's next generation would grow up bathed in love and enriched by the arts. Louise pulled off the whole thing by deadline. She evolved into an award-winning CBC journalist, a spectacular aunt, a lover of classical music, a dedicated volunteer, a proud gardener, a baker of delectable desserts, an avid traveler, a classy dresser, and a cherished friend. Sadly, Louise left us way too early at age 53. She won two rounds against leukemia over seven years before the final bout knocked her down on July 18, 2012. The compassion and world-class care she received at the Health Sciences Centre's GD6 unit were awe-inspiring and we thank all the medical staff involved. The second-eldest of six sisters of Mennonite and Metis heritage, Louise was born January 5, 1959. At age seven, she tragically lost her mother, Beatrice Charette. Louise took on the role of caring for the younger children and learned early the value of hard work. As an adult, she worked at a variety of jobs, then returned to school to study journalism and make a name for herself at the CBC. Louise's upbringing was reflected in her radio documentaries, which were infused with her sensitivity to the vulnerable, disdain for corruption, and suspicion of ideology. A 2003 gold medal from the New York Festivals for the Original Citizens series about Winnipeg's growing Aboriginal population is one of many awards that line the walls of her study. Louise stayed in Winnipeg to be close to her younger sisters Tracy Fehr, Audrey Fehr, Kimberly Van Raalte and Patricia Recksiedler, and especially to lavish attention on every one of their passel of kids and grandkids: Leah, Julia, Nathan, Jenna, Amanda, Ashley, Andrew, Jason, Cheyenne, Selena, Paige, Timothy, Julianne, Jeremy, Anthony, Jocelyn and Tobias. She often flew to London to see her elder sister Sandra Clark and Kisori, Bala and Holden. Louise lost her father Anthony Fehr in 2004, but she remained close to Aunt Bertha Janzen, who helped raise her, and to cousin Karen Janzen. Louise possessed boundless energy and a lively temperament. She loved to host holiday family meals in her beautifully decorated home, she stocked her basement with toys for the children, she scrapped with her sisters, and she always reconciled in the end. Friends will remember her frank conversations and devastating wit when she held a glass of wine in her hand. Late in life, one Louise's deepest wishes was fulfilled when she met Warren - a man who kept up with her intellectual curiosity, relished her feistiness, and was steadfast when the seas got rough. They spent 900 wonderful days together. Her friends Nelle, Helen, Jo, Nancy, Neil, and Grant are moved Louise relied on us for comfort and laughs until the end. In honour of Louise's life, a bursary fund has been established in her name. Donations can be sent to: Red River College, C306-2055 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9 or www.rrc.ca\donate. If you are healthy and under 50, consider donating stem cells through OneMatch.ca. A celebration of Louise's life will be held Saturday, August 11, 2:00 p.m., at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 603 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg. LeClaire Brothers in care of arrangements, 775-2220.
Publish Date: Jul 21, 2012

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on August 10, 2012

Guest Book(14 entries)

  • To my dear sister Just a note to tell how much I am missing you. I think of you everyday. Memories of you give me strength and courage and will always cherish them. I am so proud of you and all you have accomplished is your short but very rich life. I will always hold you dear to my heart. I love you very very much. love, Sandra
    - Posted by: Sandra Clark (elder sister) on: Jan 27, 2013
  • If we can all contribute to Louise's RRCC bursary, perhaps we can ensure that another young woman will be able to speak the truth in a meaningful way.
    - Posted by: Warren Mills (Really significant other) on: Aug 8, 2012
  • AN ANGEL PASSED MY WAY i saw you and admired the strength and all the fight always a smile on your face like a star out in the night GOD was searching for an angel but I'm saddened HE chose you with such a gift of friendly measure to HIS home an angel flew rjm/12 never forgotton
    - Posted by: bert mcgimpsey (health care aid) on: Aug 4, 2012
  • Along with colleagues at Health Canada, I would like to pay tribute to Louise Charette and pass along our condolences to her family, friends and professional colleagues. Louise was always a real pleasure to work with.
    - Posted by: Gary Holub (Professional association) on: Jul 30, 2012
  • I have been friends with Louise for 23 years, since the first argument we had in Cre Comm. How much we shared, how much she taught me, how much I will miss her can't be measured. Louise was the first and only person who called my 6'5", 300 lb husband, "charming" and he adored her for that ever after. My kids viewed her with a bit of awe as someone who always expected them to measure up. She made all of us better people. We will all miss her. I won't stop talking to her, as I know somehow she can still hear me and will still argue until I realize she is right. I was so very lucky to have had your friendship Louise and I miss you dearly. My heart goes out to Warren and your sisters.
    - Posted by: the Weidmans (friends) on: Jul 27, 2012
  • I'm saddened and upset today to learn of Louise's passing, which I just read about on the cbc.ca website. I knew Louise in the 1990s when we both attended First Unitarian Universalist Church in Winnipeg, before I moved away to Edmonton. Louise was extremely intelligent, wonderfully vibrant and cutting-edge in so many ways -- a real fighter for truth and justice in our society. What a loss! My condolences to her family and friends.
    - Posted by: Debra Hathaway on: Jul 25, 2012
  • We were pleased to have Louise join our family dinners over the last few years. At a crowded table with extended family and friends Louise effortlessly managed to speak to everyone in a most engaging way. She joined us and our children's friends to watch world cup soccer. Louise knew how to make an impression on a room full of 24 year old boys, she arrived with trays of empanadas and cold beer and I am convinced she had thoroughly researched the rules of soccer! Our get togethers over breakfast will be missed by Mike and I, many world problems were solved in that brief time. To Warren, I wished many more days for you and Louise, but yet you were so lucky to have had 900!
    - Posted by: Cathy,Mike,David and Kelly Babb (Warren's family) on: Jul 24, 2012
  • I love you, babe, but you are a handful. 900 days, 9,000 memories, Thanks for every one of them.
    - Posted by: Warren Mills (significant other) on: Jul 24, 2012
  • Whenever I heard a story was to be reported by Louise Charette I knew the story would be insightful, relevant and honest. I mourn her death. RIP.
    - Posted by: P G Strong (Listener) on: Jul 24, 2012
  • Lovely Louise who made us all more ethical journalists and wiser people for being around you. I wish I had thanked you for your greatest gift to me...I am a better sister because you so often spoke of your own family and the value of those relationships. Your words were always heard because they were chosen. It is a rare find in a sea of "talkers". I am glad your body is at peace. Wherever you are I know you are ready to report. We will be listening. Stick it to 'em!
    - Posted by: Marcy Markusa (Co-worker) on: Jul 24, 2012
  • Louise will always be remembered for her kind personality and inspirational and compassionate journalism. I had the absolute pleasure and privilege of working with her on a number of pressing and sensitive matters facing Aboriginal and First Nations people in this country, over the past serveral years. Louise was a gifted journalist and always took the time to objectively articulate each and every issue she covered with grace and dignity on behalf of people the issue affected. This is what mattered most to her and Louise took great pride in being part of the solution. Her journalism was not solely about covering a story, but more importantly it was about educating the public on the real issues. Louise will be truly missed by all of us who had the privlege of knowing her and working with her. I extend my deepest condolences to Louise's family and friends.
    - Posted by: Chief Ron Evan, Norway House Cree Nation on: Jul 23, 2012
  • Trish and family my condolences to you all. May you recieve great love and comfort in your time of sorrow. Love The Cardno's
    - Posted by: Juanita Cardno (friend of Trish) on: Jul 23, 2012
  • I have worked with Kim for over 10 yrs and have chatted about her family's trimphs and challenges. I heard about Louise's fight until the last second of her celebrated life and I said; it runs in the family. I have seen the "fighter" spirit in Kim. My condolences to the whole family
    - Posted by: Senait Fitwe (Kim Van Raalte's Friend) on: Jul 23, 2012
  • We met Louise about a yar ago when she and Warren travelled to Toronto. We then spent time with her on two other visits east. Louise was one of those people who is your instant friend and any time spent with her was always wonderfully rich and full. We were so fortunate to know this wonderful soul for even a short time. Louise will long live in our memories...
    - Posted by: Kathy and Don Mills (Warren's family) on: Jul 21, 2012

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