THERESA GEORGETTE GAGNON (PIERSON)

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THERESA GEORGETTE GAGNON (nee PIERSON) Peacefully, with her family at her side, Theresa passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2003, at the age of 54. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Gerald; her daughters, Lise (Michael Collingwood) of Winnipeg, Andree (Richard Boyling) of Ottawa, and Joelle Gagnon of Ottawa; her brothers, Bert (Melodye) of Estevan, Jerry (Sallie) of Estevan, Don (Diane) of Edmonton, George (Kelly) of Regina; as well as many other family members, numerous friends and former colleagues. Theresa was born September 9, 1949 in Winnipeg. After completing high school in Fort Garry, Theresa, who had always loved children, entered the teaching profession. Theresa taught at St. Edwards Catholic School and in 1972, she and her husband, Gerald, went to Nigeria as CUSO volunteers. After her return, Theresa chose to stay at home to raise her daughters. She later returned to education, first as a teachers aide and then as a French immersion kindergarten teacher (Laura Secord School and Stanley Knowles School). In October 2001, Theresa was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease). The progress of the disease forced her to leave teaching, which was a major disappointment for her. As her body progressively deteriorated, she was a model of strength and determination. She maintained her dignity and serenity even when she became totally dependent on others for even her most basic needs. The family wishes to thank the ALS support team at Deer Lodge Hospital for their support and encouragement, the community and health care specialists from Kenora who worked with Theresa, and the palliative staff at St. Boniface General Hospital for their kind assistance during her final hours of life. A memorial service celebrating Theresas life will be held on Wednesday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. in the Edward J. Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Theresas memory to the ALS Society of Manitoba, Deer Lodge Centre, N108 N Pavilion, 2109 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: EDWARD J. COUTU LTD. 680 Archibald Street 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2003