Obituaries

LORRAINE BALCAEN – MAGAS

(nee LABELLE)

1942 – 2023

Peacefully, on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the age of 81 years, at the Grace Hospital, Lorraine went home to the Lord.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 10 years William (Bill) Magas; sons, Ron (Denise), Robert (Stacey), George (Aneta) and Tom (Jennifer); grandchildren Brett (Joelle), Tylor (Nicole), Tanner, Cody, Sidney, Samantha, Ricky, Matty and great-grandchild Sasha; sisters Gisele, Lucille, Viviane (Vic); brother Norbert (Lucie); stepsons, Chris (Kristen) and Tim; step-grandchildren Alyssa and Alexandra (Yannick), numerous nephews, nieces and friends.  She was predeceased by her first husband Gerald (Ger) Balcaen (April 13, 2005) and by her parents Adelard (Joe) and Alice (Lemoine).

Lorraine was born on August 17, 1942.  She grew up in Ste. Agathe, MB and after graduation had a few different jobs including a brief time teaching and working at the Royal Bank. For a number of years, Lorraine devoted her time as an organist at the Ste-Agathe Catholic Church. In 1963 she married Ger and lived in Fort Garry where they raised their 4 boys and worked a number of years at the family company, Balcaen and Sons. She also continued her love of music, playing the organ at St. Vital Parish in Fort Garry.

The family spent many weekends fishing up in Grand Rapids MB and several campsites through Manitoba and occasionally in the States. Mom watched her four boys grow and try their hands in multiple sports keeping her pretty busy, hockey, soccer, motocross (which she loved the most!), snowmobile and car racing.

In 1996 mom and Ger spent as much time as possible wintering in Mesa, Az. After Ger passed suddenly in 2005 mom bought a winter home in Mesa, Az where she had many happy times and met lots of new friends.

In 2013, she married Bill with whom she shared a condo in St. Norbert. They continued to head to Mesa every year to beat the cold in Manitoba and were able to get down one last time last year.

The boys would especially like to thank Bill for his unwavering care and love looking after their mom over the past 10 years.

Lastly, we would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Grace Hospital for their care and compassion in moms last hours and allowing us all to be with her when she passed.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Mary Mother of the Church, 85 Kirkbridge Dr., on December 19, 2023 at 10:30am.  A reception will follow immediately after in church hall.  A Private internment for family will follow later in the afternoon.

Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.