LORRAINE ANTOINETTE WILLIAMS

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LORRAINE ANTOINETTE WILLIAMS (née BOURBONNAIS) Died peacefully at the age of 94 at her daughter's residence on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2008. She was predeceased by her husband Charles in 1986, and her youngest son Edward in 1954. She is survived by her daughters: Jacqueline and husband Robert Wetmiller of Ottawa, Ontario; Maureen Blahut of Winnipeg, Manitoba; Joanne Williams of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Elaine and husband Ken Parke of Grande Prairie, Alberta; and by her sons: Robert and wife Sheila of Toronto, Ontario and Brian Williams of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is also survived by her brothers Jean, Louis, Denis (OMI), Philippe Bourbonnais, and her sister Yolande Genthon. Mrs. Williams leaves 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Lorraine Williams was born in Winnipeg on August 11, 1914. She graduated with honours from l'Académie St. Joseph in St. Boniface, and began teaching at the age of 19, first in Dunvey on the Saskatchewan border, and then in Neepawa and various other rural schools (one-room school houses) over a period of nine years. She married in 1941, raising a family for the next 20 years, and returned to teaching French in 1961 for several years at General Wolfe School in Winnipeg. Lorraine particularly enjoyed summers at the cottage, first at St. Laurent beach, and then at Twin Lakes, Manitoba, lively competitive sessions at the bridge table with family, quiet times of reading French novels, and the execution of many forms of needlework. Her legacy to her family includes a love of God, a tradition of love and loyalty to family and friends, an independence of thought and spirit, a respect for learning, a sense of humor, a gift for creativity and craftmanship, hidden acts of generosity towards others and unflagging courage to face life's challenges. Her funeral mass was held at Notre-Dame de L'Assomption on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m., officiated by her brother the Reverend Denis Bourbonnais OMI. Reception followed at Desjardins Funeral Homes. Desjardins Funeral Chapel 233-4949 1-888-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2008