CONNIE MACLENNAN MEUNIER (TAPP)

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CONNIE MACLENNAN MEUNIER
(nee TAPP)

Connie MacLennan Meunier, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully at Golden Links Lodge in Winnipeg, on April 11, 2022 at the age of 87 years.
Born in Southey, Saskatchewan on July 12, 1934, Connie was the second born of Nelson and Mary Agnes Tapp (nee MacLennan). Growing up, Connie moved to Yorkton at the age of two, where she spent her childhood years and then on to Saskatoon and finally Regina, where she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. She had a lifelong interest in music and excelled at playing the violin, learning Scottish tunes while accompanying her mother's singing and piano playing. She also often played violin while accompanying Betty, playing classical piano pieces both at home and at public venues. While growing up, Connie enjoyed spending her summers in Virden with her grandparents at the Tapp family farm and spending time with aunts, uncles and cousins. She was also proud of her Scottish and Cape Breton roots with ties to the MacLennan and Macleod clans, who settled in and around Inverness on the island.
Connie went to the University of Toronto to study Dental Hygiene, where she was one of only six students in the second class in Canada. She graduated in 1954 and immediately began working for Public Health in the south-west Saskatchewan region while living in Swift Current. While there, she met the love of her life, Donald Meunier. They married at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina in 1957. Together, they built a wonderful life together, established on love, friendship, family, commitment and engagement in the community.
Connie focused on working as a stay at home mother for many years. For the first five years in Swift Current, then two years in Calgary while Don completed his Chartered Accountancy studies at the University of Calgary, and then on to stays in North Battleford and Regina, before settling down in Winnipeg in 1967 when Don began his long career at the Health Sciences Centre. Together, Connie and Don raised six children, providing each of them with love, a wonderful model of family life, encouragement and practical support for their development and interests. Holidays were spent on road trips camping and visiting family. Connie maintained a caring home focused on providing the children with love, opportunities for learning, fun and involvement in community clubs, music lessons, sports teams, church groups and maintaining connections with family. Connie developed strong friendships and got involved in the community wherever she lived. The family home was open to family, friends and guests with an extra place at the table always at the ready. When their youngest child Claire was in school, Connie decided to broaden her horizons by working part-time for the Royal Bank for eight years. She then went on to work in the Pastoral Care Department at St. Amant Centre, a community for children and adults with developmental disabilities, for over a decade and until her retirement in 2001.
In the early 80s, with the support of family, Don and Connie built a cabin in Grindstone Park on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, where they enjoyed many years hosting summer family gatherings and friends. They also enjoyed singing, music, ballroom dancing and hosting get-togethers of friends made through the Catholic Family Movement (CFM), Worldwide Marriage Encounter at the parish, other interest groups or in the community.
Later in life, Connie and Don also enjoyed annual winter holidays in Florida, often accompanied by Neil and Daphne or close friends and other getaways with friends at Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park. Connie was also particularly proud of their trips back to Nova Scotia travelling to Inverness to see where her maternal grandfather had run the local general store and meeting, visiting and being hosted by both MacLennan and Macleod relatives in Cape Breton.
Connie was a real "people person," always finding time to have a coffee, conversation and show interest in family, friends or visitors. As a mother and grandmother, she loved each child dearly and was a strong presence, willing to listen, being open to learning from and to give advice to all. She enjoyed telling stories and relating family history and lore, valuing connection to clan and community. She was deeply spiritual, being a lifelong learner, being part of prayer and study circles, women's spirituality groups and spending time at St. Benedict's priory. Connie always loved singing and music, both listening and creating it. She had a remarkable ability to see each person for who they were, showing respect to all and building community wherever she lived including later in life at the Winnipeg Canoe Club residence and finally at Golden Links Lodge.
Connie was predeceased by her husband Donald Meunier in October 2021. She is survived by her sister Betty Bolen (Carl) of Regina; her brother-in-law Neil Meunier (Daphne) of Estevan and her children, Andree Lussier (Tom), Marie-Terese Jackson (David), David (Lesley), Paul (Laurie), Marc (Lynne) and Claire Klatt (Alan). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Daniel (Marie-Pascale), Martin (Amanda), Matthew (Dana), Michael (Tiffany), Aimee (Cyrus), Gabrielle, Ben, Jon, Will, James, Sarah, and Robert; step-grandchildren, Margaret, Thomas and Gordon; great-grandchildren, Raymond and Marie-Claire; seven step-great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Golden Links Lodge for their kindness and care.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, it was Connie's desire that donations in her memory be made to Gonzaga Middle School of Winnipeg, 174 Maple Street North, Winnipeg, R2W 3L4.
Cremation has taken place. A service and celebration of her life for family and invited guests will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Coutu Funeral Home in Winnipeg.

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
680 Archibald Street
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2022