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SIMONNE ANGELINE MARIE MEILLEUR
Born: Aug 09, 1929
Date of Passing: Apr 07, 2024
Offer Condolences or MemorySIMONNE ANGELINE MARIE MEILLEUR
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother (Mémère), great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Mom passed away peacefully at the Fisher Branch Personal Care Home surrounded by her family on April 7, 2024, at the age of 94.
She leaves to mourn her 13 children: Jacqueline, Réal (Beverly), Roger, Lucien (Cindy), Gilbert, Estelle, Gerald (Darlene), Claudette (Dean), Dolores (Rick), Pauline (Mark), Mariette (Stu), Anita (Tom), Réjean (Cheryl); 37 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Auray; parents, Joseph and Corinne (née Grégoire); sisters, Alma and Florence; brothers, Paul and Roger; sons-in-law, Regis Gauthier and Robert Wedensky.
Mom was born in St. Jean-Baptiste, Manitoba, a part of the tenth generation of the Grégoire family in Canada. At the early age of almost three, her parents and siblings moved to Fisher Branch, Manitoba. She attended the town school until the completion of Grade 7 and was then homeschooled by her mother, a former school teacher. Mom also shared the work on the farm, but being the youngest in the family, she did not experience the hardships of the depression as much as her siblings and parents.
She met the love of her life, Auray, and after three years of courtship, were married on October 6, 1951. They had a special and unique bond that spanned over 70 years. She was a loving and devoted wife, and the beautiful and loving mother we all knew.
Mom learned to sew at a young age, and she sewed everything for her children and for themselves. Her sewing skills eventually progressed to bridal wear and baptismal dresses and suits. It seemed there was nothing she couldn’t do. It’s not a wonder she was chosen “Mother of the Year” in 1958 by CJOB Radio. What an honour that was for her!
Mom enjoyed curling and won numerous trophies over the years. She was also very much involved in church projects and became the Director of the church choir. She served on the Parish Council for many years and was a chartered member of the Catholic Women’s League for 29 years. It was during this time that she discovered computers and put those skills to good use; she had her own email account and quickly learned it was faster to send one email than it was to make 13 phone calls. She posted comments and shared photos on Facebook; she downloaded recipes for our Dad and located music videos on YouTube ... and she could Google like the best of them! Her most interesting and challenging hobby, however, was compiling the “Meilleur Family” genealogy.
She always said, “with the children and grandchildren, we are never lonely.”
We are forever grateful to Darlene Meilleur, Michelle Truthwaite, and Darlene Fuz for their care and compassion.
Prayers will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Both services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Fisher Branch. Interment to follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fisher PCH Foundation Inc., PO Box 548, Fisher Branch, MB R0C 0Z0.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2024, Apr 16, 2024
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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Tante Simonne was the last of my aunts and uncles, and I feel the loss of their generation keenly. She was much-loved by all! My daughter Angele and I both sang in the Christmas/New Year's church choir under her direction, and under Gregoria's before that. - Posted by: Jocelyne Slough (Bernier) (niece) on: May 06, 2024
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Aunt Simone was always a gracious and happy person who was such a wonderful host and a great community builder. I will miss her so much. Our sincere condolences to all the family. Angèle & Alcide DeGagné - Posted by: Angèle DeGagné (Niece) on: Apr 19, 2024
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Oh my may the celebration of their reunion be loud! Are there steel guitars in heaven? If so Mr Meilleur will be heralding her through the gate along with Jesus stomping His Feet. And my mom and dad and so many more. Neighbors - oh so much more. We were family. Dubuc was a lonelier place when you moved back to Fisher Branch. We so enjoyed the music and singing and now me and my brother had eight more siblings to hang out with. What joy. What noise. Mother of the year!!! and forever young. This time on earth is but a drop in the bucket. Looking forward to eternity. Everlasting life and reunion of all the saints that have gone on before. See you soon. Love to all. - Posted by: Marilyn Swain (Friend) on: Apr 17, 2024
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We send Sincere condolences and prayers to Simonne’s family. We have very fond memories of Auray and Simonne’s support and encouragement through the years. Their commitment to their family, community and church will be greatly missed. A life well lived. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Harvey and Ada Vandersteen (Friends) on: Apr 16, 2024
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We would like to offer our sympathies to all the Bernier & Meilleur families on the loss of their mother, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt. Although we didn’t get to see the Bernier families too often over the years, we still have memories of their earlier years’ visits to St. Jean Baptiste on the Grégoire side of the family. Simonne was a loving person and cousin to us. May she Rest In Peace. Noëlla (Hervé) Gagné and Jeannine (Dale) Rilling. - Posted by: Noella Gagne (Cousin) on: Apr 16, 2024
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Simone was always very involved in the church & community. She was always very Pleasant with everyone she met. Her & Auray were very involved with their music & singing & that will be missed by all. My deepest sympathies go out to her Family (as it was a large one) & prayers are with all of you. - Posted by: Lea Menard ( Dandeneau) (Friend) on: Apr 16, 2024
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In deep sadness I offer my condolences to the entire family. My most cherished memories are my visits to Fisher Branch. As a child traveling with my parents and myself as I became an adult I was fortunate to spend many hours surrounded by ma tante's love and care. She has always held a loving spot in my heart. Whenever dropping by there would always be treats to enjoy or enough food for another plate set at the table. I will miss her dearly. - Posted by: Noël Meilleur (Grand nephew ) on: Apr 16, 2024
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Our deepest sympathies to our wonderful cousins. She was an inspiration to us all. She had an aura of pure beauty that when you got close to her, it would blanket over you with the most loving and calming way. We were so blessed to have known great Matante Simonne and Great Mononcle Auray. Until we meet again. - Posted by: Rachelle Payne (Great niece ) on: Apr 16, 2024
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My heartfelt condolences to all of the family on the passing of Aunt Simonne. I hold many fond memories of her while growing up. I especially enjoyed the time we spent on Sunday mornings in choir; she was always generous with her smiles, love, and patience. Rest in peace, ma tante. - Posted by: Monique (niece) on: Apr 16, 2024
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Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Meilleur cousins. Aunt Simone was a lovely lady with a heart of gold. And always made everyone feel welcome and like part of her family. She will be greatly missed. Cory, Melanie, Nicolas and Kaden Gadsby. - Posted by: Melanie Gadsby (Great niece ) on: Apr 16, 2024
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Sorry for your loss, it's always hard to take to lose a special person like your Mom. She was always accommodating. We will all miss her. Dollard & Margaret Menard - Posted by: Dollard Menard (friend) on: Apr 16, 2024