VERA DOROTHY RONDEAU (MOORE)

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VERA DOROTHY RONDEAU (nee MOORE) On Monday, January 5, 2004, Vera Dorothy Rondeau (nee Moore), aged 88, passed away peacefully at Victoria General Hospital after a period of frail health. Born in Winnipeg on May 4, 1915, Vera was the oldest of three children of British immigrants, Reuben and Sarah Moore. She was predeceased by both parents, (Reuben 1977, Sarah 1938) and both siblings (a brother, also named Reuben, 1997, and a sister, Elizabeth, 2002). Veras life was not always an easy one. A childhood illness deprived her of much of her hearing, her schooling never went beyond the seventh grade, and the early death of her mother was such a tragedy that she never spoke of it. By falling in love with a Franco-Manitoban, Leo Rondeau, she defied the conventions of that era. Married in 1934, the couple struggled to raise a family amidst the Great Depression, and the children still remember times so grim that furniture had to be broken up for firewood. That the family went on to prosper is in large part due to her relentless determination as a mother. As a wife, her final challenge came in 1981, when she nursed Leo through his long and difficult death, related to cancer. Despite the hardship, Vera never despaired. She filled her life with books, movies, gardening, cooking, and cats. Her letter-writing was so prodigious that she was still receiving replies from distant offspring in her very last week. She had a talent for water colours and was clever enough with her hands that she could turn a dried up apple into a doll or a small, flat stone into a colourful painting. Son-in-law Fred came to depend upon the knitted slippers she would send him. Her family cannot ever hope to replace her. Vera is survived in the Winnipeg area by daughter Joyce Van Wynsberghe; son Gary Rondeau and his wife Marie; and son Robert Rondeau; grandchildren, Scott, Tyler, Valerie and husband Brad, Damon and partner Laurie, and Leah and husband Bob; and great-grandchildren, Graham, Hillary, Connor, Trevor, Madeline, Ian, Daniel, and Claire. In Moose Jaw, she is survived by son Leo Rondeau (to her, always "Babe") granddaughter Sherryn and husband Rick; and great-grandchildren, Brooke and Brianne. In Calgary, she is survived by daughter Joan Collins and her husband Fred; grandchildren, Terri, Troy, Tiffany and (previously of Moose Jaw) Alan and his partner Maureen; and great-grandchildren, Alexander and Jonathon. Other survivors include a sister-in-law, Ruby Moore of Winnipeg, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces from Manitoba and British Columbia. In her last months, while recovering from a broken hip, Vera was greatly comforted by the welcome she received from the staff and residents of the Fort Garry Rotary Villa, and the family extends our thanks to all of them. We would also like to thank Dr. Pacin and the staff of the emergency and observation unit of the Victoria General Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations either to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter, 3062 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y1 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200 - 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. A celebration of Veras life will take place on Friday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Garry Memorial Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. GARRY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, CEMETERY & CREMATION CENTRE 1291 McGillivray Blvd - 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 08, 2004