YVETTE FOURNIER (ROWAN)

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YVETTE FOURNIER (nee ROWAN) Le vendredi 31 ao t 2007, Yvette Fournier (née Rowan) est décédée à l'hôpital Victoria après une très longue maladie. Elle avait soixante-seize ans. Yvette laisse dans le deuil son mari de cinquante-sept ans, Roger, sa fille Ginette (Jacques), ses frères Roland, Léo (Rosemary), Georges (Marie), son frère adoptif, Wally (Irene), un petit fils Kirk et deux arrières petits enfants, Patric et Samantha, sa belle-soeur Joan (Nelson) ainsi que nombreux neveux et nièces qu'elle aimait comme ses propres enfants. Yvette was born on September 10, 1930 to Alex and Geneviève Rowan, the only daughter among a trio of brothers whom she cherished. The Rowan family home was a veritable drop-in centre, always full of visitors, good food lovingly prepared by Mémère and lots of laughter, usually supplied by Pépère. Elle est allée à l'Académie Saint-Joseph où elle découvrit un amour pour la couture grâce à Soeur éva. A l'âge de quinze ans, elle décida de commencer à travailler. Yvette found work as a lining operator at Stall Furs and also met a very handsome young man named Roger who used to wait until the last minute to ask her out. In spite of this, she married him! He was 18 and she was a MUCH OLDER 20! Together they raised their only daughter, Ginette, both working so hard in order to assure her a good education. They gladly followed her on her adventures to Europe and Saskatchewan. Mom truly enjoyed her work both at Stalls and at J.H. Hecht where her laughter and sense of fun were infectious. She and her friend, Aurie Beauchamp, loved being together and got into quite a bit of mischief. Her genuine pride in her work won her the respect of her bosses and her colleagues. Yvette did not have many dreams, only to have a beautiful home, to be with family and to travel. She and Dad went on several cruises and, in December 2000, during one of their cruises, they renewed their vows of marriage made 50 years before. Mom loved her family. She truly honoured her mother and father and simply adored her brothers, sisters-in-law and their children. Whenever someone was sick, Mom, you were there. When one of us was worried or needed support, you were there. When we lost someone dear to us, you were there. Like Dad, her generosity knew no limits. She had such fun when she got her first old age pension cheque! She decided to spend it on her nieces who loved shopping with her in Grand Forks. I must admit, I was just a little jealous! After all, I was an only child! We called her THE BOSS. She organized so many weddings, showers, parties and always seemed to find the right gift for everyone. It is so unbelievably sad that the last ten years of Mom's life were so fraught with illness. Seven operations, countless stays at the hospital and two major depressions took their toll, but never as much as in the last 15 months. We all tried so hard to fight the stigma of mental illness which made medical authorities doubt your very real pain. Tu as tellement souffert, chère petite maman, et papa et moi avons cheminé dans ta peine avec toi, et, tout ce qu'on pouvait faire c'était de te tenir la main à laquelle tu t'attachais si fort. But, like Job, you took each blow to your body, your mind and your dignity and still cried out to your God for help. And yet, some were still saying it was all in your head. Mercifully, there were those who were so compassionate. They heard you, they believed and they were your witnesses. Dr. André Derocquigny, for ten years, you tried to help my mother fight her demons. Jamais, ne nous a-t-il refusé, jamais ne nous a-t-il fermé la porte, passant même voir maman les samedis. Votre nom est gravé dans nos coeurs à tout jamais. To Dr. Al Pacin and the nurses on the fourth floor, we will always be grateful to you for allowing Mom to die with the dignity which had been repeatedly denied her in the past. To our dear Dr. A. W. Alvi in heaven, please watch over her as you did for all those years on earth. Angela, your help all those years was so precious to Mom, Dad and me. Bob, her nurse at the Victoria, you were her guardian angel in a leather jacket. Dr. M. Jason, thank you for listening to us. We know you tried to help. There were also many acts of daily kindness. Patti, Bernie, Carol, Susan, Gill, thank you. Michelle et Nicole, combien de fois, vous êtes venues à sa rescousse! Eric, you who shared the same birthday with Mom, know that your gentleness and care every weekend were, at times, the only moments of joy she knew. Au Père Phil Daley, Père Fred Olds, Père Patrick Morand, merci d'avoir veillé sur elle, d'avoir prié pour elle. For those who so wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Mom's memory to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation, 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E8. It's time to say goodbye to you now, Mom. We all loved you and will miss you but, as God assures us, there is no more pain where you are, and you are finally whole again. The Father has fixed all of your broken pieces and has restored you. You're glowing in His light. You need no longer be afraid at night. Prayer service for Mom will be held on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 DesMeurons Street. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy's Roman Catholic Church, 135 John Forsyth Road, with Father Philip Daly officiating. A private internment will be held at a later date. Mais, soudain, un papillon, échappé de son sarcophage,vient, Tout osé, se poser sur son épaule Elle tressaillit, ensorcellée par ce soupçon de fardeau ailé Connivence inattendue! Puis, tout doucement, il lui murmure: J'ai une envie folle d'ouvrir mon parachute! Et la pirouette à deux commence... Vole, petit papillon, vole! Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2007