In Memory of Ginette Poitras (Ginette Porter)

December 30, 1952 - February 6, 2023

06/02/2023

Peacefully passed away in her home in Orléans at the age of 70 year due to medical complications. Born in Van Buren, Maine on December 30, 1952, raised in St. Léonard-Parent.

She was the daughter of the late Donat Poitras and the late Léonie Poitras (nee Pelletier). She leaves in sadness her adored daughter Tina (Miguel). She also leaves in sorrow her siblings Camil, Hermel (Caroline), Mildred (Watin), Vi (Gerry), and Claudine (Yvon), as well as many nephews, nieces, and friends. Predeceased her brothers Réginald, Gilbert (Shirley), William (Blanche), Euclide (Mona), and Lorne (Patsy).

Ginette will be remembered as a talented musician and someone with a great sense of humour. A special thank you to Canadian Tire 2010 Ogilvie Rd, where she was an associate for many years. She was an ACME nominee in 1982 with two records in the Canadian Country Top 50 charts! For a total of 14 weeks. Ginette was devoted to her work and would like to be remembered as such. Visitation will take place on Saturday February 18, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Complex 1250 Trim Rd ,Orléans, ON, K4A 3P7 at 9 a.m. followed by a ceremony held at 11 a.m.

Condolences

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🎶 My MoM’s Album

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Our sincere condolences from Ronny, Tina & Kaylee.. Wish we could be there with you on Saturday thru this difficult time.. Thinking of you all and sending hugs xx

Your family walks next to you Tina and Miguel during this difficult time, our sincere condolences. Many fond memories growing up, Tante Ginette was that “fun aunt”. As kids, when she babysat us (a million moons ago) she would let us stay up until we heard mom and dad arrive, we felt like rebels (lol). Road trips to New Brunswick would be full of song and laughter (I’d get my own private singing lesson for 8 hrs… was a blast). I remember one NB trip when she, my mom and aunt Mildred had their “fortunes told”, your mom was told she would be blessed with a beautiful daughter, and she was. Wrapping you in an armful of hugs. Susie, Dan, Kathryn (Greg) and Michael (Shay). Toronto. ❤️

Many wonderful memories playing drums behind Ginette in 1980- 1981and 1982 with Mike Hamelin on bass guitar
We toured out west in 81 and 82 as well as down east and many Bars in the Ottawa valley,i reminisce fondly those times very much . Thanks you ( Gin) for the memories
RIP ,,till we meet again 😩🙏🎼🎸🎤🥁❤️🌹

Deepest condolences to the families and friends at this time of loss .🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🎼🎼🎼🌹🌹🌹

Ginette, my sincerest condolences to your family.
Many years we spent together with my dad.
Your memory will live on in my home.
God Bless.

Our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to your family from everyone here at Canadian Tire Ogilvie.
We have had the privilege of working with Ginette over the years and will miss her ready smile and quick humour.
Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time

Tina,

Uncle Gerry and I had the pleasure of watching you blossom from the sweetest baby to a wonderful woman. My sincere condolences as you manage this difficult time. Many great memories. I remember fondly all the great laughs and joking fun your mom and I had specifically the time she tried to teach me to swim despite the fact she herself couldn’t. The time all us sisters got together (your mom, me, Claudine and Mildred) in NB at Mildred’s campground, reminiscing and with a song or two. Ginette would say “let’s open up a bottle of wine, it’s time to relax”. Rest in peace little sister I will always remember the great times. Vi ❤️

Listening to your records these last few days brings a lot of memories when we were on the farm,like when you were caught smoking in the cornfield by Mom when she saw the cigarette smoke over the cornstalks.Talking and laughing on the phone for hours.Many many great memories,which will never fade away.You were always my very favorite sister.Miss you a lot.Till we meet again.

This day has come way too quickly that it seems so surreal. Ginette was my Aunt, a Mother figure, my friend and my favourite musician! I remember the first time that I heard her sing. I was a teenager and I visited her and Bruce frequently. On one of my visits, I heard the song ‘Could I have this Dance’ by Anne Murray. I thought it was a record playing but Uncle Bruce told me that it was my Aunt rehearsing upstairs! She had an amazing voice! She was more than just a singer or guitar player. She was an entertainer who would pack the bars and clubs that she played in and keep the dance floor full all night long. She played throughout the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s and entertained not only the Ottawa Valley, but also Canada as she did a couple of cross Canada tours. In the early 80’s, Ginette played the same Ottawa circuit as The Family Brown, Terry Carisse and Marie Bottrell. She had a couple of records released in 1976 and 1977 and were played frequently on CJET in Smiths Falls. I remember having my breakfast before going to school one day and her record would play on the radio. I was so proud of her. In 1981, in celebration of Canadian Country Music week, The Ottawa Citizen and CKBY held noon concerts at the National Art Centre. The Ginette Porter Show was one of the bands invited to perform a concert! The Ginette Porter Show also played the Hitching Post, which later became The Gilmore, on an almost annual basis for many years with Orvil Prophet as a special guest. I remember walking down the street in Smiths Falls to see her at the Rideau Hotel. As I was nearing the hotel, I could hear her voice singing, Juice Newtons, ‘Queen of Hearts’. She sounded so good. I walked in and the dance floor was hopping and there wasn’t a seat to be had. In 1982, her biggest record, Lonesome, was released which was written by Barry Brown. Later in 1982, she released a second record, Loving Lies, which was written by Terry Carisse. Those singles were played on Country radio throughout Canada! She received an ACME nomination for newcomer of the year for those records. Ginette Porter will be missed by all her fans. Many of her band members throughout her musical years have been inducted into the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame. Hopefully, some day, the Ottawa Valley Country Music Hall of Fame can make a place for Ginette Porter as she truly accomplished a lot for the Country music scene throughout the Ottawa Valley. I will personally miss her immensely. RIP my Aunt, my friend and my favourite Country Music Entertainer!! Love you forever!!

Dear Tina and aunt Ginette”s siblings,, our sincere condolences on the loss of a great person that to loved to laugh. I have many memories as a kid having great times with her. She sang at our wedding ( pregnant with her babygirl) and she got to make our children laugh and took them out on fun excursions. The kids loved her dearly as I and my wife did. , We share many good times and now she is in peace and guiding over her beautiful family. We will miss you .

I was so very sorry when I heard about my sister, Ginette!! She would call Caroline and I and we would have a lot of laughs for hours! I will truly miss those special moments we shared. Rest In Peace my dear Sister!! We love you!!
Mel and Caroline