JEANNINE LEITCH

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JEANNINE LEITCH November 9, 1925 - June 12, 2013 Jeannine Irene Leitch (nee Guertin) passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC on June 12, 2013 at the Central Care Home, where she had been living for the past four years making friends with residents and staff. Mom was born in the family home in Aylmer, Quebec the eldest daughter of Omer and Amanda Guertin. Her family moved to Oakville when she was five, one of only a few French speaking families in the town, learning English when she attended school. Graduating from High School with honours she contributed to the war effort like many of her friends by working in a small arms factory. On May 29, 1945 she married Alexander Leitch (Lichacz) who was serving in the Canadian Army Military Police. Soon after he took her home to Manitoba, first to the family farm in LaBroquerie and then to Winnipeg. They began raising their family of four boys in their bungalow in Elmwood where she lived for 50 years. Mom was first a homemaker for her family. During this time she took on a number of jobs to help make ends meet and participated in various volunteer organizations. At home she was an avid knitter and did crochet. She ended every day in the kitchen, a cup of tea in hand, and reading, a passion she developed at an early age, often finishing a few books a week. Widowed at an early age with three sons still at home she returned to the workforce full time while raising her boys. Later in her working life she was a care provider to those needing care in their homes. After retirement she became a babysitter for her grandchildren taking great pride in their accomplishments. She loved her little garden and was proud of her sweet peas and tiger lilies. She was able to travel to the U.S., Bahamas, Hawaii, Australia, England, Scotland, and across Canada, often with family members. She was herself with everyone she met. Mom was predeceased by her husband Alex, her grandson Stephen, and brothers Mark and Robert. Jeannine is survived by her four sons Don (Betty) of Victoria, Nick (Karen) and Allan (Marni) of Winnipeg, Raymond (Barry Johnston) of Nanaimo; seven grandchildren, Andrew, Rae, Cole, Danielle, Matthew, Adam, and Angie; and eight great-grandchildren; her sisters Doris Height of Oakville, Ontario, and Estelle Street of Prescott; numerous nephews and nieces across the country, and by her friend of many decades, Flo Hayes. Mom was the last of her generation on her husband's side of the family, all ten of the children and their spouses now gone. According to mom's wishes cremation has taken place. A funeral mass will be held, Wednesday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Munroe and Brazier with Father Janusz Maron presiding. A Celebration of Life Lunch will follow in the Parish Hall. Interment with her husband Alex at All Saints Cemetery on Main Street, West St. Paul to follow. Bardal Funeral Home, 843 Sherbrook Street, 204-774-7474. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stephen Leitch Music Award in care of Miles Macdonnell Collegiate, 757 Roch Street, Winnipeg, MB R2K 2R1, or the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 10, 2013