Obituary for Denise Lillian Hebert (Laliberte)
DENISE LILLIAN HÉBERT
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Denise Lillian (Toni) Hébert, nee Laliberté on February 4, 2024, at her home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with her loving family by her side.
Denise, the youngest of three siblings, was born on February 9,1943, to Anne and Louie Laliberté. After her mother died at a young age, she was raised by her cherished grandmother Rose.
As a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt Toni leaves behind the love of her life her husband Norman, loving daughters Tracy (Jimmy D), Carrie (Martin), treasured grandchildren Ryan, Kalie, Stephanie (Jon) and Caleb, precious great-grandchildren Ryder, Haddie, and Layton, her beloved sister Bernice (Gary deceased), adored sister-in-law Diana (Bud deceased), darling nephews Buddy (Jacqueline deceased), Gary and Dan (Nadine), and many special in-laws, nieces and nephews.
You may or may not know that Denise, as a child had a nickname, Pupun. In time Aunty Blanche gave her a new one, Toni, as everyone knew her from then on. Even though her brother Bud also called her Toni, he never let her forget Pupun. Growing up with her siblings, Toni was always in the middle of mischief and mayhem with her brother and sister. As kids, though they sometimes fought and squabbled, they had an inseparable bond and always had each others backs. As they got older and each starting their own families, their bond remained strong as they held many regular card games that often went into the wee hours of the morning.
As a young girl, Toni loved ice skating during our long winters and roaming the neighborhood with her friends in the summer. When she met Norman, she discovered that she loved dancing. Toni and Norm would never miss an opportunity, whether it was a wedding, social or house party to dance the jive all night long. Toni married the love of her life, Norm on September 9, 1961, starting a family some years later having two children. Toni's passion was her family and life centered around her daughters and later on her grand and great grandchildren. She never missed a school concert and loved taking them out to the circus and ice skating entertainment shows. It was always a treat for her as she loved to watch her grandchildren play hockey and soccer when she could. Toni was also a great cook and loved to host family gatherings during the holidays. She had a knack for making the best meals out of the simplest ingredients and loved nothing more than cooking some of her grandchildren's favorites for them. The kids got to enjoy Nana's cooking and she got to enjoy their company.
She had a big, caring heart and was always there to take care of everyone else. She would be the first one to see any family member at the hospital and stay with you, all night long if need be.
Though Toni worked many years in retail, she started her working days with Gram (Rose) at the St. Boniface Sanatorium in the laundry department. This sparked a lifelong obsession with laundry. Toni was known for having the most amazing linens and laundry. To her family's delight, she even ironed socks and facecloths to perfection! The story of Toni's life wouldn't be complete without mentioning that she was one of Elvis Presley's biggest fans and even got to meet him on her 80th birthday last year. She enjoyed many pastimes like puzzles, word search books, card games, horse racing and eventually the casino. She and Norm would go out on their monthly Tuesday evening date nights to Club Regent and yearly road trips to The Shooting Star Casino in Minnesota. She enjoyed spending time together with him watching her favorite teams, the Jets, Bombers and curling. Toni and Norm would often wind down their evenings with a coffee and play different games with Yahtzee becoming their favourite one.
Toni, Mom, Nana, you will be missed. Rest peacefully knowing that you are forever in our hearts and are always loved.
Every blade in the field, every leaf in the forest, lays down its life in its season as beautifully as it was taken up. — Henry David Thoreau
A small private celebration of Toni's life will be held at a later date.
A special thank you to Jennifer Gadient, to Sophie Ramer and the team at WRHA Palliative Care Program, and to Patty and Jayde at E.J. Coutu & Co all for their compassion and amazing support.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, a donation may be made in Toni's name to a charity of their choice.
E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
204-253-5086
Tributes: ejcoutu.ca
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Denise Lillian (Toni) Hébert, nee Laliberté on February 4, 2024, at her home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with her loving family by her side.
Denise, the youngest of three siblings, was born on February 9,1943, to Anne and Louie Laliberté. After her mother died at a young age, she was raised by her cherished grandmother Rose.
As a wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt Toni leaves behind the love of her life her husband Norman, loving daughters Tracy (Jimmy D), Carrie (Martin), treasured grandchildren Ryan, Kalie, Stephanie (Jon) and Caleb, precious great-grandchildren Ryder, Haddie, and Layton, her beloved sister Bernice (Gary deceased), adored sister-in-law Diana (Bud deceased), darling nephews Buddy (Jacqueline deceased), Gary and Dan (Nadine), and many special in-laws, nieces and nephews.
You may or may not know that Denise, as a child had a nickname, Pupun. In time Aunty Blanche gave her a new one, Toni, as everyone knew her from then on. Even though her brother Bud also called her Toni, he never let her forget Pupun. Growing up with her siblings, Toni was always in the middle of mischief and mayhem with her brother and sister. As kids, though they sometimes fought and squabbled, they had an inseparable bond and always had each others backs. As they got older and each starting their own families, their bond remained strong as they held many regular card games that often went into the wee hours of the morning.
As a young girl, Toni loved ice skating during our long winters and roaming the neighborhood with her friends in the summer. When she met Norman, she discovered that she loved dancing. Toni and Norm would never miss an opportunity, whether it was a wedding, social or house party to dance the jive all night long. Toni married the love of her life, Norm on September 9, 1961, starting a family some years later having two children. Toni's passion was her family and life centered around her daughters and later on her grand and great grandchildren. She never missed a school concert and loved taking them out to the circus and ice skating entertainment shows. It was always a treat for her as she loved to watch her grandchildren play hockey and soccer when she could. Toni was also a great cook and loved to host family gatherings during the holidays. She had a knack for making the best meals out of the simplest ingredients and loved nothing more than cooking some of her grandchildren's favorites for them. The kids got to enjoy Nana's cooking and she got to enjoy their company.
She had a big, caring heart and was always there to take care of everyone else. She would be the first one to see any family member at the hospital and stay with you, all night long if need be.
Though Toni worked many years in retail, she started her working days with Gram (Rose) at the St. Boniface Sanatorium in the laundry department. This sparked a lifelong obsession with laundry. Toni was known for having the most amazing linens and laundry. To her family's delight, she even ironed socks and facecloths to perfection! The story of Toni's life wouldn't be complete without mentioning that she was one of Elvis Presley's biggest fans and even got to meet him on her 80th birthday last year. She enjoyed many pastimes like puzzles, word search books, card games, horse racing and eventually the casino. She and Norm would go out on their monthly Tuesday evening date nights to Club Regent and yearly road trips to The Shooting Star Casino in Minnesota. She enjoyed spending time together with him watching her favorite teams, the Jets, Bombers and curling. Toni and Norm would often wind down their evenings with a coffee and play different games with Yahtzee becoming their favourite one.
Toni, Mom, Nana, you will be missed. Rest peacefully knowing that you are forever in our hearts and are always loved.
Every blade in the field, every leaf in the forest, lays down its life in its season as beautifully as it was taken up. — Henry David Thoreau
A small private celebration of Toni's life will be held at a later date.
A special thank you to Jennifer Gadient, to Sophie Ramer and the team at WRHA Palliative Care Program, and to Patty and Jayde at E.J. Coutu & Co all for their compassion and amazing support.
In lieu of flowers, if friends wish, a donation may be made in Toni's name to a charity of their choice.
E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
204-253-5086
Tributes: ejcoutu.ca