FLORA GIRARD

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FLORA GIRARD Paisiblement, a la Villa Youville de Sainte-Anne, est decedee le 29 decembre 2004, a l'age de 98 ans, Mlle Flora Girard. Elle laisse dans le deuil de nombreux nieces et neveux des familles Bedard, Champagne, Arbez et Desautels; un beau-frere Robert Arbez (St-Boniface). Flora fut predecedee par ses parents Adeline (Beaudry) (1958) et Joseph Girard (1942); ses soeurs Annie (feu Antoine Desautels), Jeanne (feu Joseph Champagne), Soeur Stella, m.o., et Elie-Anne Arbez; un frere Pere Albert, o.m.i., nieces et neveux, en particulier Noelline qu'elle a beaucoup manquee. Flora est nee a Sainte-Anne le 18 decembre 1906. Ses etudes terminees elle entra dans la Congregation des Soeurs Oblates pendant plusieurs annees. Elle enseigna au Jardin de l'Enfance... une carriere qui ne lui plaisait pas. Avant de prononcer ses derniers voeux, elle laisse la Congregation et retourne a Sainte-Anne pour travailler au magasin familial. Eventuellement elle demenagea a Saint-Boniface et travailla pendant plus de 20 ans a l'Hopital de Saint-Boniface... un travail qu'elle a bien aime. Apres sa retraite elle aimait beaucoup voyager avec amies ou parentees. Femme de grande foi elle assistait a la messe chaque jour... c'etait une priorite. Plusieurs ont profite de ses talents artitisques...peintures...coutures... Elle visitait les missions d'Albert et de Stella, specialement celles de Duck Bay et Fort Alexandre, ou, avec ses soeurs organisaient des ventes bric-a-brac. Les coussins qu'elle confectionnaient ont fait le decor de plusieurs residences. Depuis septembre 1995, elle quitta la ville pour revenir s'installer a Sainte-Anne dans un logement a la Villa Youville. L'ouverture du nouveau service des soins infirmiers l'ont accueilli par la suite. Les prieres auront lieu a 19h00 le lundi 3 janvier 2005 au Salon mortuaire Desjardins, 357, rue Des Meurons. La messe de la Resurrection aura lieu en l'eglise de Sainte-Anne le mardi 4 janvier 2005 a 10h30 avec le visionnement a 10h00. L'inhumation des restes se fera dans un avenir rapproche. La famille tient a remercier sincerement les medecins de Sainte-Anne, en particulier Dr. Duval. Un tres grand merci au personnel des soins infirmiers pour les excellents soins. Un remerciement tres special a sa niece et infirmiere Suzanne (Arbez) Gurican de la Villa pour les services innombrables et son Poteau de vieillesse . Merci aussi aux Soeurs Rioux et Forest pour leurs maintes visites, prieres et assistance. Tante Flora a clairement exprime qu'elle preferait que ceux et celles qui le desirent fassent un don en memoire d'elle au Fonds de renovations de l'eglise de Sainte-Anne ou a la Villa Youville. FLORA GIRARD Peacefully, Flora Girard, passed away on Tuesday December 29, 2004, at the Villa Youville in Ste. Anne at the age of 98 years. Flora is survived by numerous nieces and nephews from the Bedard, Champagne, Arbez and Desautels families; a brother-in-law Robert Arbez (St. Boniface). She was predeceased by her parents, Adeline (1958) and Joseph (1942); her sisters, Elie-Anne Arbez, Sister Stella, O.M., Jeanne (Joseph) Champagne and Annie (Antoine) Desautels; one brother Fr. Albert, O.M.I.; numerous nieces and nephews, especially Noelline whom she missed dearly. Flora was born in Ste. Anne on December 18, 1906. After completing her schooling she entered the Congregation of the Oblate Sisters. During her noviciate she taught school at Jardin de l'Enfance on Masson Street. She didn't like this profession at all. She therefore chose to leave the order before her final vows and return to work with her parents in Ste. Anne. They owned a grocery store so they could use her help. Eventually she decided to move to the city and started a new job at the St. Boniface General Hospital. She worked there for over 20 years. She was a very meticulous and proficient person. She enjoyed her job tremendously. Her retirement years were spent travelling with friends and family. She also loved to take the bus and go shopping but not before attending daily mass. This was a priority for her. She was artistically inclined. Her paintings and the more than 600 cushions she sewed are just a sample of all the hours she spent sharing her talents. Numerous visits at Albert and Stella's missions organizing rummage sales with her sisters, was a time she cherished the most. The cushions are now decorating many of these homes. Since September 1995, she returned to Ste. Anne where she took up residence at Villa Youville. When the time came for special care the nursing section welcomed her and took good care of her. Prayers will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2005, at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons St. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the Ste. Anne Roman Catholic Church. Viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment of the cremated remains will take place at a later date. Special thanks to the doctors especially Dr. Duval, the personnel and nurses for all their wonderful care; Sisters Rioux and Forest... special angels... for all their visits... prayers... for being there! Also, many thanks to a very special niece and nurse, Suzanne (Arbez) Gurican for giving so much of her time, energy and effort in helping Aunt Flora...it was not always easy but you did it. She loved you very much. Aunt Flora clearly indicated that whoever wanted to make a memorial gift to do so to the Ste. Anne Church - Renovation Fund or to the Villa Youville. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949. Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.obituariestoday.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2004