RITA FLAMAND

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RITA FLAMAND August 28, 1931 - May 4, 2016 It is with great sadness that the family of Rita Flamand announce her sudden passing on May 4th at the home she loved so dearly on the lakeshore of Camperville, MB. Rita was born and raised in Camperville by her parents, Peter Flamand and Sainte Anne de Lima (nee Fagnan), where she also raised her family of eight children with ex-husband Ferdinand Guiboche. She was a wonderful mother and Kookum to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Rita was predeceased by her daughter, Mona. Rita left home for periods starting at a young age to work and pursue her education. As a young woman she achieved her nursing diploma and then later in life her Aboriginal Interpreter Certificate at Red River College while in her late 60's. She was a founder and the first President of the Manitoba Metis Women's Association in 1973 among many other accomplishments. Rita loved her Michif language and was continuously working on and sharing it as her life's work, translating many published books and TV programs. Rita had nearly completed her dream of writing a Michif Language Dictionary and planned on then writing children's books in Michif. Rita could speak several languages which she enjoyed and used as a Court Communicator in Dauphin for a number of years. Rita loved singing, playing guitar, jigging and socializing with her many friends and family throughout her life. She was also a wonderful cook and storyteller. The family would like to thank Dr. Sheila Menard and staff at the Camperville Health Centre who took such great care of Rita. A memorial service will be held in her beloved community of Camperville for friends and family on June 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church (also known as Manitoba's Cathedral of the North) with lunch to follow at the community hall. An extended family gathering and burial will take place on July 31st when she will be laid to rest beside her daughter Mona at the Camperville Metis Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 28, 2016