ANITA DENISE RACHELLE CASSIN (LAFRENIERE)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ANITA DENISE RACHELLE CASSIN (nee LAFRENIERE) September 4, 1956 July 24, 2006 It is with love and sadness that we mark the passing of our wonderful Denise. Daughter of May Lafrenière (nee Fouchard) and Dan Lafrenière, Denise grew up in St. Vital with her brothers Paul and Mark. Her childhood experience committed her to the values of family and faith, which she held paramount. She attended school at St. Marie, Glenwood and Glenlawn. She was an outstanding high school athlete and maintained her interest in sports and activity through her life. Post-high school Denise worked in several jobs. At work she was admired for her wonderful organizational skills and ability to focus upon and support goals. These are gifts she has given her to her family, her health and her volunteer work. She accepted a position at Manitoba Housing where she met her husband Ken. They have had a devoted, humour filled, joyful marriage. Denise and Ken have two children, Jennifer Leah and Amanda Rachelle whom have been the recipients and expressions of their care, nurturance and love. Denise loved being a full time wife, mother and auntie. She was committed to the happiness and growth of her daughters and husband. She encouraged her daughters to explore sports, arts, school and community and enthusiastically supported their adventures be they in soccer, piano, Tae Kwon Do, vacations at Royal Lake Resort, baking and visiting with their grandmothers or travels with their aunt. She fostered their love of family and they grew up with a close relationship to their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She took an active interest in the lives of her nieces, Shereen, Danielle, and Ashleigh and nephews, John-Paul and Gerald and loved knowing and advising them. She was a wonderful daughter-in-law to Audrey (passed 1991). She cared for and encouraged her father-in-law, Lorne, though the loss of his wife and recent illness. She inspired her sister-in-law Marguerite Cassin. The whole family was very important to Denise. Regular dinners with her mother May, lunches with G'pa, and all holiday occasions with Mark, Paul and Joyce and their families. In 1989, Denise experienced kidney failure and was a long-term dialysis patient. She was inspiring and exemplary in approaching and managing her disability. She was proud to live independently in the community with her family - managing peritoneal dialysis with supplies delivered monthly and regular clinic visits with the St. Boniface CAPD nephrology team - for 16 years. This never prevented her from participating fully in all of life's activities. She engaged her life with optimism and gratitude. Denise was very thankful for science that supported her and the medical staff at St. Boniface Hospital. Denise had a long-term commitment to the Guiding movement. She began as a Brownie leader when she enrolled her children and continued as a leader for Brownies and Guides until recently. Her presence as a leader exposed a whole generation of girls to a woman who was strengthened, not limited by a chronic life threatening disability. Denise touched so many lives with her humour, passion for living and inspirational faith. We are full of admiration and gratitude for her life. The family are very grateful to the nursing and medical staff at St. Boniface for her care, particularly in the past weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation or Girl Guides of Canada. Prayers will take place on Thursday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church, 847 St. Mary's Road. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, also at Christ the King Roman Catholic. Interment will follow at the St. Vital Cemetery. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 27, 2006