ROLANDE GERMAIN

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ROLANDE GERMAIN November 24, 1911 - July 14, 2014 It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Rolande Germain (née Lapointe) on Monday, July 14, 2014 at Action Margeurite St. Boniface. Born to Richard and Maria Lapointe in LaSalle, Manitoba on November 24, 1911, Rolande was the third eldest of 12 children raised in this rural community from which she left in her late teens to live and work in Winnipeg. She began as a housekeeper and moved on to Monarch-Overall, a sewing factory where she became forelady, all the while sewing for others in her spare time. She met Aldhemore Germain who she married at the age of 29, they built their home in St. Boniface on Jeanne d'Arc Street in 1944 where they raised their three children Lorraine, Bernice and Paul. Rolande then took courses in order to become a key-punch operator for Canada Packers where she worked nights for a number of years before taking on a position as a Supervisor in the Housekeeping Department at the St. Boniface Hospital. In 1960 she bought a cottage at Sunset Beach, Grand Marais which quickly became the home to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She divorced in the early 1960s and purchased and managed an apartment block on St. Mary's Road. In retirement at 65 she became the primary caregiver for her father till his death at 93 years of age. She sold the apartment block and moved to Sunset full time in her late 60s where she started a cottage industry of leather motorcycle and snowmobile leathers, quilts, upholstery and so very many other things that she created with her incredible talents and skills. She seemed happiest when she was working on these various projects for others for which she became well known. She sold her lakefront home in 1994 and returned to living independently in an apartment in Winnipeg until Alzheimers took its toll and she was placed in Taché Nursing Centre in 2003 where she remained until her death. She was the last member of her family being predeceased by all her brothers and sisters; daughter Bernice Lang; grandson Richard Beaudry, and son-in-law Bob Beaudry. She leaves to cherish her memory her eldest daughter Lorraine; son Paul (Terry Kentch); son-in-law Daniel Lang Sr.; her grandchildren Danny Lang (Sherry and children Madison and Daniel); Kenny Lang (Brenda and daughter Alexis); Marc Beaudry (children Evanne and Marli); Nicole Beaudry (daughter Vanessa Vaughan); and Joel Beaudry (Cassandra Buchan and daughter Dalia). She is also survived by her sister-in-law Rita (Lucien) Lapointe, and so very many others who were her friends, neighbours and companions during her long life. To Rolande family was everything. As brothers and sisters moved into the city to further their studies, apprenticeships or lives they all stayed on Jeanne d'Arc with Rolande. When her parents or siblings become ill she was the one who was there to care of them. Family reunions at the lake were always great occasions. Grandchildren regularly spent entire summers and winter holidays with her at the lake. Nothing was better than spending time at mémère's swimming, boating, hiking in the swamps with lunches packed by mémère; or winter holidays filled with skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking kept warm with hot chocolate and cookies, even the dogs, boxers, had blankets she'd made them. Rolande could do anything, was tireless and would do everything. A great homemaker, cook, seamstress, she'd mix and pour cement sidewalks and driveways and chop a cord of wood before lunch. She was fiercely independent and inclined to do things her own way. She's inspired her children and grandchildren that we are all capable of great things, the stories of her antics have often made listeners smile and still do to this day. We sincerely wish to thank all the staff on 5ABC and most recently on 2ABC for their tender, kind and compassionate care of Rolande. A memorial mass will be held Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Eglise du Précieux-Sang, 200 Kenny Street at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7 and/or the Alzheimer Society, 10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 16, 2014