In Memory of Thérèse Lebel-Brunet
THÉRÈSE LEBEL-BRUNET passed away in Ottawa on Friday, March 30, 2018, at the age of 97 years. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Henri A. Brunet, she will be sadly missed by her five children: Marie-Élisabeth (Alain Poirier), Claire-Lucie, Denyse, Pierrette (Chris Evans) and Charles-Henri (Rose Prosen). She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren, Marc-Étienne, Justin, Benoît, Quinn, Stéphanie, Gabrielle, Alexie, Emilie, Magaly and Nohémy; her sister-in-law, Cécile (late Germain Bélisle) and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Pierre Lebel and Élisabeth Arpin; her sister, Géraldine; her brothers, Georges (late Françoise Morency), Louis-Philippe (late Eva Wanca) and Jean-Paul (late Marguerite Grenon); her sisters-in-law, Aurore (late Roland Lamoureux) and Berthe (late Bernard Marchand); her brother-in-law Aimé (late Adrienne Leclerc); and her grandson, René.
Thérèse greatly enjoyed her career as a teacher in Sudbury, and had a deep love for children all her life. Like her husband Henri, she worked tirelessly to promote the French language and the development of the Franco-Ontarian community. In particular, she defended the right to French-language education in Ontario, namely as the first Francophone woman elected to the Sudbury Board of Education. Several organizations, including La Ligue de la Jeunesse féminine in Sudbury and the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa, benefited from her services as a volunteer.
Over the years, Thérèse cultivated many friendships, namely with her teammates from her bowling league, her neighbours at the Riviera condominium and more recently with fellow residents at the Maplewood Retirement Community. She liked nothing better than to host a Happy Hour or organize a party. Even in her 80s, she enjoyed being physically active, playing tennis, doing aquafit, and going cycling and cross-country skiing. At 93, she added a girl’s trip to Cuba to her extensive list of travels abroad.
Above all, she devoted herself to her family, providing unwavering love and support to all her children and grandchildren at every stage of their lives.
A woman of deep faith, she died peacefully in the hope of the risen Christ.
The family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, April 3, from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m., at Nativité-de-Notre-Seigneur-Jésus-Christ Church, 355 Acton Street, Ottawa. A mass to celebrate Thérèse’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m.
Messages of friendship and condolence can be sent to Heritage Funeral Home, 1250 Trim Road, Orléans-Ottawa, K4A 3P7 or online at www.heritagefh.ca. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to Sudbury’s Place des Arts: https://maplacedesarts.ca/don/
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