Obituaries

Alice LeRoux

Alice was born on Turtle Mountain a “farm girl” , lived in Deloraine and became a “town girl “. There she met a handsome suitor named Renee LeRoux who swept her off her feet . They married in Deloraine on October 1, 1955 and together they moved to Winnipeg ( now a city girl who never forgot the hardworking standards of her farming past).They began married life in a house-share where their firstborn child and only son, Ron, first slept in a pulled out drawer. They bought their first house on Buchanan street and there their family grew to include three daughters, Julie, Colette …and Monique trailed 5 years later ( “she was a surprise but not a mistake “she’d say ).In 1968 they’d saved enough to build a house on Stewart Street where they lived together until Rene’s passing in 1997.Mom and dad were true partners and they lived happily together for 42 years. Together they enjoyed the birth of their first 6 grandchildren and spent happy hours entertaining them .

After dad passed, mom continued to live the rest of her life in the home they’d built and continued to devote herself to the now 7 grandchildren enriching her life .

“Crafting Grandma“ heroically and joyfully organized countless events in her home for all of her grandchildren( Carla, Stephanie, David , Renee, Lydia, Timothy,Devin, Braedon, Chantal, Lauren) – she had them all Easter egg decorating , Easter egg hunting, Christmas ball making, Christmas gingerbread house decorating( one for each grandchild ) . *She’d want you all to know that she outsmarted you on the Easter hunt – two packages of cherry blasts were found just last week behind a picture frame !

An expert seamstress, mom spent countless hours at her machine sewing for her children, friends,grandchildren and even her great grandchildren. Her last sewing project was completed only a few years ago- with arthritic hands that didn’t always cooperate she undertook the task of sewing doll clothes for her great granddaughters, Abby, Charlotte and Lexi. She showed her love in so many ways, her handmade gifts so loved as well.

Weekly visits over the past 5 years or more with her grandson David were eagerly anticipated. He brought a new sense of adventure with the different meals he bought to share with her. Sometimes they were a hit and others she was quick to say “ I don’t want that one again!” He helped keep her on her toes and she loved the verbal sparring they shared.

Granddaughter,Chantal and partner Travis visited regularly. Chantal became her reliable housekeeper, gardener, bird feeder and companion. Mom would often call Chantal to say her house needed cleaning . Upon arrival Chantal would find the house in good order. It was really about the visit- those visits were priceless.

Kinsmen Bingo lost a great customer. Granddaughter Lauren faithfully brought mom Bingo cards every Saturday . They would sit and eat the meal Lauren brought, played Bingo and then visited afterwards. Alas, they never won the game. Their winnings however were measured in fun and in that category they never lost.

Colette and Frank visited weekly and she would often tell us about Frank’s regular yard work. “ I don’t know what Frank did but he was out there a long time !”

We would take a picture to show her and she’d marvel at the amount of tree trimming he’d accomplished. They would often puzzle together at her kitchen table . We would often chuckle at her commentary on puzzle progress, “ Frank was hoarding the red pieces!” Or “ Monique and the kids did the easy part and left me with this “ but she always had a puzzle on the go and would allow us to contribute despite our many indiscretions.

When daughter Julie would spend her workday lunch hours at moms they would share a meal while watching game shows like Jeapordy or Wheel of Fortune. Mom was always her match . Her mind was sharp and together they enjoyed the challenge as well as companionship.

Mom was a Scrabble queen and summarily trounced us regularly. Our weekly Sunday dinners were never complete until a serious Scrabble battle was fought. Beating grandma at Scrabble was celebrated with good humour- as it rarely occurred.She will forever be remembered as the one who started the board with “ QI” to a roar of indignation from her competitors!

Grandson, Braedon will fondly remember their cribbage games. He and grandma gave no quarter and the competitions were both fierce and fun. They played their last game a few days before she left us and even then she managed to win her share !

Mom’s sense of humour and sharp whit always entertained us. She nicknamed her son in law Grant “Jeeves – her chauffeur” – he was the only one she trusted to help push her chair up the ramp or help her transfer from place to place. “ Jeeves, I’d like to get up “ was a sure way to make us all laugh. Even in her last few days she was able to surprise us with a little diddy – “ I hope to hear from you soon!” She said as daughter Julie was heading out to get her hearing aid fixed.

Mom’s bond with her sister Dorothy was strong. Over our lifetime we enjoyed many visits with Aunt Dorothy and her family . These times were filled with love and laughter. When in-person visits were no longer possible mom and Dorothy continued to chat regularly on the phone and we enjoyed the family updates that resulted from their conversations. While mom was at our house this past holiday she was sure to call her sister to let her know where she was and to assure her that she was being pampered thoroughly.

Her niece and nephew, Delores and Lloyd always visited while in the city. Mom loved sharing her stories with them and their visits were a highlight for her.

Mom’s longtime neighbor and friend Laura Scott enjoyed trips together to the casino over the years and when mom could no longer ambulate well they continued to speak regularly on the phone. It was nice to know she was always there .

Mom would want us to mention Amrit, her homecare aide. We are grateful for her loving care , knowing she would be there to help mom start her day was comforting because we knew how much mom enjoyed her presence.

Mom was an extremely intelligent woman who could have done anything she chose. She chose to be our mother and for that we are eternally grateful.

Always caring and considered in her response to our childhood and teenage antics…when mom’s voice lowered and she said “ I have had enough” we knew we’d overstepped and would backpedal quickly. We didn’t test her further, not because we feared her but because we respected and loved her.

Mom spent her final Christmas surrounded by some of the people who loved her most. Watching her newest great grandson Miles toddle about was a great joy to her that day and she smiled as she watched him play.

Her family was always her focus and she leaves so many to cherish her memory : her children, Ron(Deb), Julie (Rod), Colette (Frank), Monique ( Grant) . Grandchildren Carla ( Shane), Stephanie ( Jared), David, Renee ( Kurtis), Lydia, Timothy, Devin, Braedon, Chantal (Travis), Lauren (Kale) . Great grandchildren Maggie, Jaxon, Arthur, Abby, Charlotte, Carter, Lexi and Miles .

Every relationship mattered to her and every kindness remembered. She loved deeply and was deeply loved in return.

This past year, mom started adding “very, very much” to her I love you’s.

We love you very, very much too mom/ grandma! Very, very much indeed.