Obituary for Louise Jeanne Lafreniere (Lafreniere)
LOUISE LAFRENIERE
FEBRUARY 4, 1966 - MAY 3, 2021
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Louise at Portage District General Hospital on Monday, May 3, at the age of 55 years, with Mom and Dad by her side.
Louise is survived by parents Yvonne and Armand, brother Raymond, special nephew Joshua Lafreniere and niece Maybel Murray; uncles, aunts and cousins of the Lafreniere and Tessier families.
She was predeceased by her grandparents who she enjoyed very much.
In her beginning school years Louise was diagnosed with being mentally challenged. She attended a number of Special Ed Classes at various schools and enjoyed her teachers and friends. She was active in the Special Olympics in her teen years and was awarded a number of medals in track events. In winter she liked to cross country ski. In summer, she was able to ride her two wheel bicycle on her own and enjoyed regular family activities. She looked forward to summer family holidays, for many years in McIntosh, Ontario, and loved to swim and fish.
Eventually she was placed in a work program and was taught to take the transit bus alone to the workshop and back home during weekdays. At 23 years old she had her first setback and ended up at Victoria Hospital and then Manitoba Development Centre in Portage La Prairie. She loved her new home, friends and personnel. She enjoyed many programs, including workshop, crafts, outings, and Sunday church services
She regularly was picked up every second weekend on Fridays by her mother and enjoyed home visits and especially playing Kinsmen Bingo with her father and family Sunday dinners, before being driven back on Mondays.
Eventually, Louise suffered a second setback. This incident took away many of her abilities and she managed to survive until now with dedicated and professional care of MDC Staff, in particular at her Cedar Cottage Home, then Westview Facility.
Family wish to thank Dr. Thor Choptiany for directing her care since the setback, devoted MDC personnel, in particular retired Cedar Cottage Coordinator Jocelyn Maroniuk Vezey and Westview Coordinator Bruce Cote.
The family also appreciate the support of friends and family who understood Louise’s own decisions to remain at MDC, where she enjoyed the programs, activities and workshop prior to its closing.
In addition, Louise had great affection for MDC Staff, most notably in Louise’s mind, caregiver Frank Marikiewicz (who jokingly to Louise was “Frank the tank, with a cane”), and Florence, who she was told retired and moved to Norway and took the time to visit Louise on one of her return trips.
Special thanks to Kim Darichuk who provided computer virtual visits weekly during the Pandemic.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Louise’s memory can be made to Special Olympics Manitoba 304-145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B2Z6 or website specialolympics.mb.ca
E.J. Coutu & Co Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca
FEBRUARY 4, 1966 - MAY 3, 2021
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Louise at Portage District General Hospital on Monday, May 3, at the age of 55 years, with Mom and Dad by her side.
Louise is survived by parents Yvonne and Armand, brother Raymond, special nephew Joshua Lafreniere and niece Maybel Murray; uncles, aunts and cousins of the Lafreniere and Tessier families.
She was predeceased by her grandparents who she enjoyed very much.
In her beginning school years Louise was diagnosed with being mentally challenged. She attended a number of Special Ed Classes at various schools and enjoyed her teachers and friends. She was active in the Special Olympics in her teen years and was awarded a number of medals in track events. In winter she liked to cross country ski. In summer, she was able to ride her two wheel bicycle on her own and enjoyed regular family activities. She looked forward to summer family holidays, for many years in McIntosh, Ontario, and loved to swim and fish.
Eventually she was placed in a work program and was taught to take the transit bus alone to the workshop and back home during weekdays. At 23 years old she had her first setback and ended up at Victoria Hospital and then Manitoba Development Centre in Portage La Prairie. She loved her new home, friends and personnel. She enjoyed many programs, including workshop, crafts, outings, and Sunday church services
She regularly was picked up every second weekend on Fridays by her mother and enjoyed home visits and especially playing Kinsmen Bingo with her father and family Sunday dinners, before being driven back on Mondays.
Eventually, Louise suffered a second setback. This incident took away many of her abilities and she managed to survive until now with dedicated and professional care of MDC Staff, in particular at her Cedar Cottage Home, then Westview Facility.
Family wish to thank Dr. Thor Choptiany for directing her care since the setback, devoted MDC personnel, in particular retired Cedar Cottage Coordinator Jocelyn Maroniuk Vezey and Westview Coordinator Bruce Cote.
The family also appreciate the support of friends and family who understood Louise’s own decisions to remain at MDC, where she enjoyed the programs, activities and workshop prior to its closing.
In addition, Louise had great affection for MDC Staff, most notably in Louise’s mind, caregiver Frank Marikiewicz (who jokingly to Louise was “Frank the tank, with a cane”), and Florence, who she was told retired and moved to Norway and took the time to visit Louise on one of her return trips.
Special thanks to Kim Darichuk who provided computer virtual visits weekly during the Pandemic.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Louise’s memory can be made to Special Olympics Manitoba 304-145 Pacific Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B2Z6 or website specialolympics.mb.ca
E.J. Coutu & Co Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca