NELLIE LORRAINE LAROCQUE (THOMAS)

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

NELLIE LORRAINE LAROCQUE (nee THOMAS) Nellie Lorraine Larocque passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Nellie was born June 7, 1936 at Fisherton, MB to Charlie and Odile Thomas. She is survived by her husband Alfred; son Mark; daughter Wendy (David) Bobbee, grandsons Jeff, Scott and Travis; son Dean (Kim); brother Phil (Eileen), niece Caren, nephews Brent, David and Phillip and their families. She also leaves behind in-laws Edna, Ron (Joanne), Judy, Annie, Julia and Nellie. Also numerous cousins and treasured friends and neighbours. Nellie and Fred lived in Winnipeg and Arborg during their married life, the last 22 years in Winnipeg. Mom tried her hand at several things over her lifetime and successfully completed courses at Red River College in the 1960s, 1980s and 1990s. She met people easily and many friendships she formed endured throughout her lifetime. Mom had a soft spot for kids and she was employed in the child care field for several years. Nellie developed a special passion in her later years for genealogy. She joined a fledgling Metis Resource Centre of Manitoba and became immersed in researching and networking. She was able to put multitudes of people in touch with their roots, some from as far away as Japan and other places around the world. She was highly regarded for her expertise in Metis ancestry and was very proud of her heritage. Mom also had a green thumb and before cancer slowed her down the last two years, she always had a garden and something in bloom in the flowerbeds from early spring until freeze up in late fall. The family wishes to thank Doctors J. Elkin and P. Harris and the staffs at Home Care, CancerCare and the Grace Hospital for their kind and compassionate care and the Grace Hospice where she spent the last two weeks of her life and thoroughly enjoyed her much too short stay. We are also grateful to extended family, friends and neighbours for your visits, cards and well wishes. Mom was comforted by your love and concern. A celebration of Nellie's life was held Monday, July 5, 2010 at Fisherton Cemetery and a small memorial service followed at the Grace Hospital chapel on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Mom wanted no flowers but asked for donations to be made in her memory to the Grace Hospice Fund c/o Grace Hospital, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3J 3M7. Failing that, a random act of kindness to others - a smile, a hug, a wave or a phone call is all she asked.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2010