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Simone Madeleine Labrecque, 1918-2009
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Simone Madeleine Labrecque longtime resident of Falher and Donnelly area passed away at Hythe Continuing Care Centre on Sept. 16 at the age of 90.
Simone, our mom, had been residing with Lucie (her daughter), and Lucien Lemire for the past 10 years. She spent seven years in Stony Plain, and three years in Beaverlodge.
She stayed at the Beaverlodge Hospital for the last four months prior to moving to Hythe, where she died peacefully in her sleep two weeks later.
Simone (Caron) Labrecque was born Dec. 23, 1918 at Cape D’Espoir, Gaspe, Quebec. Simone married Joe Labrecque in 1936 and they were together for 57 years, when dad died at 82. They homesteaded nine miles north of Donnelly Corner.
Simone’s own words in the Donnelly-Falher book summarize those years: “All these souvenirs of times gone by will always remain those that made up my life. They are filled with much joy and much sorrow, but I hoped to make our children’s world better and easier, and that of our grandchildren better still.”
Simone was a prolific writer, keeping journals all through her life. This rich legacy she leaves to her family. She was an avid reader and passed on the love of books to her extended family. Simone also dabbled at drawing and painting in oils, of which her children have a print or two in their homes. Simone is mostly remembered for taking time to stop everything she was doing when someone dropped in. She’d give them her undivided attention.
The magical combination of a freshly brewed pot of tea, some goodies to munch on, and good conversation was daily fare for us and the visitors to our farm. Even the young grandchildren knew their stories would be heard once they crossed the doorstep into Grandma’s house.
Simone Labrecque is survived by her children: Paul (Carmen) of Falher, Wilfrid (Denise) of Falher, Leo (Juliette) of Joussard, Jules (Simone) of Falher, Julienne (Rene) Gagnon of Guy, Lucie (Lucien) Lemire of Beaverlodge, Mike (Leona) of Falher, and Andy (Joyce) of Falher. She is also survived by 36 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Also two brothers: Paul Caron of Sunset House and Johnny Caron from Kelowna.
Simone was predeceased by her husband Joe Labrecque, parents Joseph and Cleophee Caron, her son Raymond and his wife Georgette, her siblings Alphonse, Aline, Aime, Alec, Yvon, Gustave, Gilbert, Elise and Edouard.
Funeral services were held Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m. from the Chapel of Memories in Peace River with Julie Gagnon officiating. The eulogy was given by Lucie Lemire, and a message of hope by Jules Labrecque. The music was provided by Miguel and Monique (Gagnon) Payette. Pall bearers were her sons: Paul, Wilfrid, Leo, Jules, Mike, and Andy Labrecque. Cross bearer was her first grandchild Maurice Labrecque. After lunch at the Peace River Seniors Drop-in Centre, a procession from the funeral home took place to escort Simone to her final resting place beside Joe at the Donnelly cemetery.
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