VERLIE JEAN MOUSSEAU (LAZENBY)

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VERLIE JEAN MOUSSEAU
(nee LAZENBY)
September 5, 1948 - April 18, 2020

It is with a profound sadness that the family of Jean Mousseau announces her peaceful passing on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at home surrounded by loved ones.
She will be deeply missed by her daughter Lisa (Steve Ashworth, children, Julie and Graeme) and her son Chuck (Rhiannon, children, Luke and Elizabeth). She is also survived by her brothers, Bill (Marilyn) and Rick; sisters-in-law, Anita (Phil), Lise (Garth), Lorna and Ida; brother-in-law Denis (Margaret); as well as nephews and nieces: Christopher, Kristina, Marc, Christopher, Tammy, Nicole, Colin, Neil and Haley; her lifelong friends, Edie and Roger, Lorraine and Dennis, and many other extended family members and friends too numerous to mention. She was predeceased in 2013 by the love of her life, Charlie, and previously by mother Grace Lazenby, father Vern Lazenby, stepfather Dick Davis, mother-in-law Gabrielle, father-in-law Esdras, and brothers-in-law, Norm and Don.
Jean was born and raised in the Winnipeg, MB area. Growing up, she learned to cook while helping her mom, who worked in many different restaurants during this time. She also spoke fondly of her many summers at Grand Beach. She also worked in a number of different restaurants, including the Red Top in Winnipeg. In 1968 she married Charlie. When they started a family she stayed home to be a full time mom to her children, Lisa and Charles, and worked tirelessly to take care of the children and home, while also spending time with family and friends. They moved their family to Calgary in 1980 where Jean went back into the workplace. She spent the next 15 years working for the Calgary Catholic School Board as school librarian at St. Patrick and secretary at St. Angela and Blessed Kateri. She worked with many incredible people during this time and often spoke about them throughout the rest of her life. In 1994 she "retired" and went to work with Charlie at CL Marketing, the company he built from the ground up, starting in the family basement, and worked there until they sold the company in 2012, when she retired for real.
Anyone who knew Jean knew that the door to her home was always open and the coffee was always on. She enjoyed nothing more than having company come over; gathering family and friends for meals, to play cards, or just sit and talk over a pot of coffee. Charlie used to complain when she would bring out food that there was enough food to feed an army (which there usually was). But the gift of leftovers meant that everyone could come back the next day, and no one had to cook. That left more time for cards! About a dozen years ago, she and Charlie found their new favourite place - the back deck of their condo in "Perfect" (Mesa, AZ). They would sit out there by the hour drinking coffee, talking to each other or the many wonderful friends they made there, watching their hummingbirds, Hummy and Zoomy come to drink, and enjoying the Arizona blue sky! And this is exactly where she was until she became ill in January and reluctantly returned to Calgary.
After Charlie's passing, Jean worked hard to find a reason to get out of bed each day. After about a year she announced that she had figured out her purpose again: it was to spoil the people she loved. And did she ever!!! Baking treats, cooking meals, buying clothing or toys for the children (grandkids of herself or friends, great-nieces and nephews), birthday celebrations, you name it. Nothing made her happier than to share a gift of her time, talent, or treasure with someone she cared for and watch their expression. There is a sign in her home in "Perfect" given to her by friends which sums things up nicely: Jean's house runs on love, laughter, and Bailey's and coffee.
The family would like to thank the many medical professionals who have supported her in her journey these past few months with kindness and compassion, including the wonderful staff of the Peter Lougheed Hospital, especially the staff of units 38 and 49, and Dr. Lam, home care nurse, Kelly, and Dr. Graham Hunter for his ongoing support of our family for the past 40 years.
In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so desire, donations in Jean's memory can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation - Lung Cancer Care, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish Building Fund, or any charity of your choosing, or you could choose to do a random act of kindness to pay for someone's coffee or lunch in her honour.
Jean. Aunty. Mom. Memere. We miss you dearly. You have left a hole in our hearts and our lives that will be difficult to fill, but we will try to do so with stories and memories of our time together. We look forward to the day we will be reunited. Forever in our hearts and memories. Kiss Kiss, Hug Hug, Memere. We love you.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a private service will be held for immediate family only on April 27, 2020. A celebration of Jean's life will be held at a later date, and all will be invited and welcome, just as Jean would have wanted.

To express condolences, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca

Mountain View Funeral Home
403-272-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 24, 2020