July 11, 1927 - February 25, 2021
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our Mother Bernadette Gagnon at the age of 93.
Bernadette Marie Antoinette Boutiere (Gagnon) was born July 11, 1927 in Ponteix, Saskatchewan, to Henri and Raymonde Boutiere. She was one of 3 children, older brother Raymond, and younger sister Simone.
The Boutiere Family feeling a need to find their forever home travelled originally from the community of Joyeuse in the Ardeche region of South Eastern France to Canada where Bernadette (Mom) was born. Soon after arriving in Canada the family returned to France after Mom's birth, then back to Canada in 1929, again for a short period then returning to France in 1935.
Within 4 short years of being in France, the war broke out and kept them in south Eastern France until 1947, after which they returned permanently to Canada, to the farm in Ponteix Saskatchewan.
While in France during the war years, the Boutiere Family including Mom lived in Avignon where Mom in her teen years worked at the Avignon train station. On their permanent return to Canada in 1947, Mom worked as a nurse at the Ponteix hospital.
In 1952 in Ponteix, Bernadette married Leon Gagnon, after which they moved to St. Boniface, Manitoba for a short period where Roland was born, then onto Vancouver Island, where Irene and Suzanne were born.
Mom and her family lived in the Saltair area until 1972, when the family moved to Ladysmith to live in their newly constructed home. Mom enjoyed gardening, knitting (buffalo wool sweaters), walking, running, bingo, and in her later years activities at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre.
She completed a few 5 and 10 kilometre runs in her later years as well, and was an active early morning walker with a walking friend could often be seen from 5:30 to 7:00 am around Ladysmith. She did enjoy her walking!!!
In 1998 Mom was left single with the loss of her beloved Leon, after which she stayed in the family home until 2013, when several falls/breaks forced her to move to the assisted living facility (Ts-i-ts-uwatul-lelum, Duncan). She lived at the assisted living facility until 2019, when additional care was needed, and at that time moved to Beacon Hill Villa (Victoria) where she remained until her passing on February 25, 2021.
In keeping with her interest in being involved in various activities at the facilities, she continued to enjoy bingo, crafts, birthday parties, special events, enjoying the cookies and cake to go with such events. She was not one to stay idle when something was taking place.
At both the assisted living and long term care facilities she enjoyed outings with assistance while in her wheelchair, particularly during those warm sunny days. Ice cream and hot chocolate stops were a must and very much enjoyed.
Mom was predeceased by her newborn daughter Helene (1953), husband Leon (1998), brother Raymond (2007), and is survived by her sister Simone (Winnipeg), son Roland (Helene), daughter Irene (Didier), grandsons Christopher and Daniel (Crystal), daughter Suzanne (James), step grandson Curtis (Oshrit), great-grandchildren Arielle and Ethan, step grandson Cameron (Tanya), great-grandsons Cole and Conner and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses, numerous care aides and recreational staff at both facilities for their care and compassion that they showed to our Mom. A special "Thank you" to Kathy her companion in Victoria who during pre-Covid times made sure Mom got out as much as possible, when the family could not be there.
Bernadette (Mom) will be deeply missed by her family, and close friends.
A la memoire de notre Mere, Epouse, Grand-mere, Arriere Grand-mere, Soeur, Tante, et Amie Danse sur le Pont d'Avignon