FERNANDE CHAMPAGNE (BOHEMIER)

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FERNANDE CHAMPAGNE (nee BOHEMIER) August 23, 1918 - November 19, 2006 Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Fernande Champagne, nee Bohemier passed away November 19, 2006 at the St. Boniface Hospital. Fern was born August 23, 1918, in St. Norbert, the second eldest of 15 siblings to Joseph and Rose Délima Bohemier. On February 14, 1942, she married the love of her life Gérard Champagne. Together they ran the business Champagne Movers Ltd. until August 1973. That year after 31 years of marriage, on December 21, her Gerry passed away. She stayed in the house he had built for her on Lemay Avenue in St. Norbert until 1985, moving to St. Vital where she resided till July of 2003. Her last residence was Catherine Place, a place she often expressed gratitude for and loved to the end. Throughout her life, she lovingly devoted her time to her family. She enjoyed spending evenings playing cards with her siblings or playing games with her children and grandchildren. She loved welcoming company at her home and there was always something sweet to serve for a lunch. She was a courageous and religious woman throughout her life, suffering many losses. Yet at the end of her life, she often said that she was grateful for the wonderful life she had, for her children and grandchildren and happy it had been filled with love. She loved to laugh and we will miss her warm smile and that infectious laughter. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister. Left to cherish her memory are her son Allan (Louise) of Edmonton; her daughter Allysse Champagne (Robert Nuttall) of the RM of East St. Paul; her favourite son-in-law Gilbert Parent, St. Joseph; her sisters, Louise Forest, Edmonton, Lucille Delorme, Winnipeg; her brothers, Raymond and Robert (Geraldine) also of Winnipeg; her sisters-in-law, Claire and Eleanor Bohemier, Winnipeg, Rose Aimé Beaudette, Winnipeg, Dr. Fortunat and Laurence Champagne of St. Claude, Gérard Bourgeois of Winnipeg, Louise Brodeur whom she referred to as her second little daughter, as well as nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband Gérard, her parents, 10 siblings, and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as many nieces and nephews. Prayers for Fernande will be held at the St. Norbert Catholic Church at 7:30 p.m. on November 22, 2006. Funeral service will be held Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Norbert Catholic Church. Interment of her cremated remains will take place in the St. Norbert Cemetery following the funeral mass. The family would like to thank the St. Boniface Hospital and the staff on 3B for the excellent care mom received during her short stay there. We would also like to express our gratitude to Catherine Place and to their staff for the loving care they provided to mom these past three years. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to Catherine Place. Dear Mom, It was a privilege and honor to have been chosen by you to be your children. You have been the best, most loving mother in the world...We will remember you always, and love you forever...Until we meet again... With love, Allysse, Allan and families The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 22, 2006