RENEE GUILMETTE (MAISON)

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RENEE GUILMETTE (nee MAISON) Surrounded by her children and knowing the love of her family, Renée left this world in the early hours of November 5, 2013. Mom was born on August 4, 1921 in Cayeux sur Mer, Picardie, France. She met the love of her life, Octave (Joe) Guilmette, during the Second World War when the Regina Rifles came through her hometown during the liberation of France. Renée climbed aboard a troop carrier that day, deliberately stepped on Dad's toes, and their lifelong love affair began. It truly was "love at first sight". She immigrated to McCreary, MB in 1947 to be with her handsome Canadian soldier. Here, they raised their expanding family until their move to Winnipeg in 1955, when their last addition was born. Mom worked various positions throughout the years to help support the family, including Baron's Nursing Home, Eaton's, and the Canada Post Office. Upon retirement, Mom and Dad moved to Sundown, MB where they enjoyed their hobby farm together and provided us with the "fruits" of their labour. With aging years, they moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Mom was predeceased by her beloved and devoted husband of 56 years, Joe, and her infant daughter, Marie-Rose. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Ed (Betty), Marie (Ken) Grouette, Patricia (Brian) Smith, Joëlle (Ray) Roeland, Liz (Albert) Keyworth, 10 grandchildren plus their spouses, 26 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grand-children. She is also survived by many relatives in France and Quebec, including her sister Reine and her children (in particular, Jean-Claude Delahaye, his wife Thérèse and their family), plus our special aunt, Sr. Louise Grégoire. Mom will always be remembered as an intelligent, well-read, informed individual who encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue higher education. She was a woman of great determination and fortitude, and she was fiercely independent to her last day. Mom loved nature, in particular the beautiful birds and flowers around the farm and her home in Winnipeg. Undoubtedly, her greatest joys were her husband and her ever-expanding family as she always looked forward to the next new addition. We will miss her terribly and love her forever. Mere words cannot express our sense of loss at this difficult time. We only hope that she is now reunited with Dad and Marie-Rose. A celebration of Mom's life will take place at St. Emile Church, 556 St. Anne's Rd, on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Renée's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice. Desjardins 233-4949 1-888-233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 09, 2013