ALICE CHARETTE

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ALICE CHARETTE August 30, 1916 - November 17, 2007 We are heart broken to announce the passing of our beloved mother Alice Charette on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at 5:05 a.m. at the St. Boniface Hospital. Her two daughters Celine and Bernice and grandson Daryl were at her bedside. Where does Mom's life story begin? First of all, she was born in the small Francophone village of St. Malo to a hardworking farming couple: Joe and Rose Dubois (nee Trudeau). Mom had 14 siblings who were all musically inclined including herself. They could all play an instrument or two be it the piano, organ, fiddle, accordion, guitar, etc and boy could they sing! They could have been the Canadian Von Trapp family. Mom's youngest brother Rosaire played in bands throughout Winnipeg most of his life. Mom's family all had blond or light brown hair and blue eyes. She wished to fall in love with a tall dark and handsome man and her wish eventually did come true. With his six foot frame and dashing dark brown eyes, and her petite 5'2 stature, and her turquoise blue eyes our parents made a strikingly handsome couple. They went on to have four children together but our father had the alcoholism disease so they parted ways and mom was left to raise and provide for her four small children on her own. Those years were a struggle but our Mom was always there for us. She was our rock and our anchor. One year in the small community we lived in at the time, she was voted Mother of the Year . While we were growing up we moved often. Mom was always looking for a better apartment for us. The places were old and run down but with a coat or two of paint, Mom's home-made curtains, and a woman's touch those places soon became our little castles. Mom was a female jack of all trades. She sewed all of our clothes when we were younger, she made sure our old floors gleamed and she could stretch the almighty dollar. We didn't eat steak but we never went to bed hungry either. We didn't have many toys, but at X-mas, Mom made sure we each had one toy, a nice X-mas tree and a great turkey dinner. We had the most important gift of all: love, and lots of it. Mom loved singing, playing the spoons , her coffee, chocolates, apple pie, Daniel O'Donnell, and The Sound of Music . But most of all she loved her children and grandkids. Her faith in God was very strong. That's what sustained her and kept her going. She was very feisty, a strong-willed woman to the very end. The last three years, Mom's health declined rapidly. With the help of Homecare, she was able to remain in her apartment instead of moving to a nursing home. Her daughter Bernice moved in the same building as Mom and devoted herself to helping Mom as much as she could. Her grandson Daryl drove her to all her medical appointments. His help was greatly appreciated by Mom. Mom loved all her grandkids equally but she had a special bond with Daryl. He would also take her out to the Sal's because she loved their pancakes and also to Mrs. Mikes because she loved their burgers. Mom was declared legally blind by her ophthalmologist one and one-half years ago and that was a tough time but Mom never gave up. On April 26 she was admitted to St. Boniface Hospital where a CT scan was done on that very day revealing that she had Stage 2 terminal lung cancer. Mom remained positive and strong, never complaining. She spent two and one-half months at St. Boniface Hospital then four months and one week at Tache Nursing Centre. It was there that Ron visited her in July for a two week stay. Mom was overjoyed. Ron visited her every single day and they reminisced about the good old days among other things. It was a sad day indeed for Mom and us when Ron had to return to Quebec, his home now for the past 32 years. And finally Mom's family was eternally grateful when she was returned to St. Boniface Hospital on the palliative care floor for the last week of her life. We would like to thank the Homecare staff: Ruth, Needa, Dolores, and Hillary. Mom loved all of you. Also a special Thank You to Dr. Harlos, and to all the palliative care nurses, especially Debbie, who was Mom's nurse for the first two days and to Linda who was Mom's nurse throughout Mom's last night. You two nurses are truly angels of mercy. To Father Roland Lanoie who prayed so beautifully over our Mom and who greatly encouraged us, thank you. Many thanks to Auntie Terry, Rene and Guy who visited Mom often and also to Uncle Jerry and Auntie Cecille and to Celine and Bernice who were constantly at Mom's bedside. Mom was predeceased by her first born, Rolly, her parents and 10 of her siblings. She leaves to mourn her passing her children Celine and Bernice from Winnipeg, Ron from Aylmer, Quebec and daughter-in-law Yvette Charette from Winnipeg; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, Mom's four remaining siblings; Therese, Joe, Jerry, and Ross as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mom dedicated and devoted her entire life to us and loved us so much and was so proud of us. She is now in God's House where we are sure Rolly embraced her in his loving arms. She is now free at last from all her pain and suffering. Our family takes great comfort in knowing this. We will miss you so much but know that we will all be together again one day. We will miss your beautiful blue eyes, your hearty laugh, and loud chuckle, your great voice and your heart of gold. As Mom has specified, and as we are honouring her wishes, cremation has taken place and no formal service will be held. Her cremated remains will be interred in Waverly Memorial Gardens. When our brother Ron comes to Winnipeg on his next visit, the immediate family will get together to honour and celebrate Mom's life. This is not good-bye, Mom, but until we meet again, merci Maman chérie, pour toute ton dévouement, ta tendresse et ta bonté . Mom, I already miss you so much, our daily phone calls at 1:00 p.m. and all our visits , Your loving daughter, Bernice. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home Cemetery Hwy. #1 E. at Navin, (204) 222-3241

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2007