CECILLE LANTHIER PATERSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

CECILLE LANTHIER PATERSON Peacefully, on December 1, 2017, our dear Cecille passed away. Cecille was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Marie San Cartier, her brothers and her former husband and friend John Paterson. She is survived by her son Raymond Peter Lanthier, of Los Angeles. Cecille, Marie Antoinette, Madeline, Yvonne, Mona Desme, San Cartier was born on September 28, 1923 in Port Arthur, Ontario. She lived for a period in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she sang for the troops and was first married. She later moved to Manitoba where her parents eventually joined her and her son. Cecille showed an aptitude for art at an early age and continued this talent into adulthood. She studied for a time at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, a remarkable accomplishment for a young woman from Northern Ontario in the 1940s. Later studying with Hollywood heavyweights such as Eddy Senz in New York and Perc Westmore in Hollywood, she honed her skills as a television make up artist in the application of TV make- up, as well as the specialized use of prosthetics in the area of TV make-up. This led to a long career with the CBC. In its inaugural year of 1954, Cecille began as the head make- up artist at CBC Winnipeg. She was instrumental in designing the make-up room in which she plied her trade till retirement in 1985. Conscientious, punctual, friendly and creative are words that best describe Cecille at this time. Amongst her favourite stories was working with Liberace and having him tell her to call him Lee. Devoutly Catholic, Cecille was profoundly touched by meeting and being hugged by Mother Teresa, which inspired her to paint her. This painting became one of Cecille's most remarkable over the decades. In 2011, Cecille's longtime friend whom she referred to as son #3, Hannon Bell nominated her for the CBC Wall of Fame. Cecille was genuinely touched by this honour as evidenced at the Induction Ceremony held at the CBC Winnipeg studios on June 15, 2012. Today her photo hangs with other deserving CBC Winnipeg Alums at the Portage Avenue building. Cecille was a larger than life personality despite her tiny stature. Known for her love of hats, jewellry and those wild animal print tops and tights, Cecille's fashion sense definitely made a statement. In fact, in May 2011 Cecille was stopped on the street by the Free Press, interviewed and photographed for Streetstyle on her unique fashion sense. Quite remarkably this style extended into her 90's! She often made the papers in columns such as Laurie Mustard's, Maureen Scurfield and others throughout her life. She loved creating photo albums of her life and the people who entered into it. She was famous for her unique and artistic cards she sent to people on various occasions. Cecille will be missed by all whose lives she touched especially by Honor Villanueva (son #2), Hannon Bell (son #3), longtime friends and supporters including Louis Barre, Marie (Bilodeau) Lonfat-Delaloye, Mark Smith and Vivianne Blouin. Special thanks goes to Lions Place and the Lions Day Club that Cecille enjoyed, as well as the staff and 5th floor of the Posiedon Care Centre, where Cecille lived and was cared for in her final years. A Memorial Mass for Cecille will take place Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Ignatius Church, 355 Stafford St. at 11:00 a.m. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C OX4 (204) 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to: www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 30, 2017