MONIQUE RUTH BARSALOU

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MONIQUE RUTH BARSALOU Monique was born on October 12, 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Aime Philien Barsalou and Olive Mazure. She grew up in a close and loving family with her siblings Cécile (Bruce Stewart), Suzanne, and Paul (Carol Ryckenboer-Barsalou). Their childhood was spent in Winnipeg, except for a two year visit to Pakistan. Monique attended Frontenac School and Pierre Radisson Collegiate, and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1980 with a B.Sc. (Agric.) in Food Science. She worked briefly for the Department of Agriculture and Manitoba Grain Commission before embarking on a successful career with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. Monique's first foreign posting was to the Canadian Embassy in Vienna, Austria in the spring of 1983. She served as a communicator there and later at the embassies in Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Egypt. In 1994, she joined Administrative Services and worked in Ottawa in the Personnel Section until her posting to Mexico in 1997. In Mexico City and then Berlin, she served as a Rotational Management and Consular Affairs Officer, earning promotions to First Secretary and Consul. On her return to Ottawa, she held the Deputy Advisor desk in the Area Management Office for the Americas. Monique's career enabled her to fulfill her lifelong desire for travel and adventure. She was visited at many of her foreign postings by her family, and spent her holidays visiting friends and family around the globe. She enjoyed the fast pace and variety of life in the Foreign Service. Monique was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend, and a dedicated employee. Her cats, Spider and Cornelia, gave her great joy and were seasoned travelers. In her leisure time she enjoyed horseback riding, racquet sports, walking, skating, scuba diving, and ballroom dancing. Monique fought a courageous battle with leukemia. Bone marrow, donated in Germany by Oliver Kestel, gave her two extra years of life and she was profoundly grateful for his gift. Monique died peacefully on April 29, 2008 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, with her family at her side. She will be missed. Monique is survived by her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. She was very fond of her nieces and nephews: Lydia, Avery and Delaney Barsalou; Megan, Tyler and Erin Steen; and Heather and Ceilidh Stewart. Monique was comforted throughout her illness by visits, calls, and letters from her many friends. She was, and her family are, truly grateful for their support and for the kind and compassionate care she received from the many health care professionals in Ottawa and Winnipeg. Her funeral mass will be held on Monday May 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba. A commemorative reception will follow the service. A mass in Monique's name will also be held on Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapelle 2nd floor, élisabeth Bruyère Centre, 43 Bruyère Road, Ottawa, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2008