Suddenly on Monday. December 24, 2018 at her residence, Anne Marie Angelic Desjarlais passed away at the age of 67 years.
In loving memory of a loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunty & Friend
Anne Marie Angelique Desjarlais (nee) Chartier
“Azhaweh Pishikekwe”
Born and raised in Grand Rapids Manitoba to Morris and Annie McKay, she was the oldest of eight children. Anne spent her early years living in the community at a time when the Manitoba Hydro project was being built. She witnessed the physical and social changes that came with the project. At that time, she began working for local Hydro families as a housekeeper and nanny. She then moved to The Pas where she went to school before moving to Brandon.
For 42 years, she shared her love of education and traditional values with communities across the province of Manitoba. Anne received her Bachelor of Teaching Degree in 1974 at Brandon University. During her studies, she met the love of her life, Mr. Cecil Desjarlais. They married the same year and had three beautiful children: Glenda, Cynthia and Dion, alongside one precious angel, Baby Shab. Together, they embarked on a life long journey as educators and knowledge keepers.
She began her teaching career in Lake Manitoba First Nation where they lived for five years before moving to Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. For 16 years, Anne taught at Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School. She continued to St. Theresa Point and after a brief time at Lake Manitoba School, Anne accepted a teaching position at Ebb and Flow First Nation School where she remained for 10 years. It was during her time at Ebb and Flow that Anne lost her husband after 38 years of marriage. Despite her heartache, it was her love of teaching and children that kept her going.
In 2014, after 44 years, Anne retired from teaching and moved to Portage La Prairie where she currently resided. Anne was an active member of the community where she volunteered at the Soup Kitchen, the Salvation Army, the Lion’s Prairie Manor, the Prairie Welcome House and the Herman Prior Senior’s Centre. During her retirement, Anne also began “subbing” part time at Long Plain First Nation School. This past year, Anne was brought out of retirement when she accepted a Native Language Teacher position at Long Plain School.
Anne shared her love of square dancing and jigging with the young people around her. She organized Lakeside square dancers and she travelled all over in her blue, old school van with her students.
Anne lived by the motto of the 3 L’s: “Love, Listen and Learn,” which resonated with the many students she had taught over the years. She continued to share her love of education and traditional values with all she met.
Anne and Cecil taught us to pray and be thankful for all our blessing. Both he and Anne loved helping people and sharing the message of love and forgiveness. They both were strong believers in the Creator and dedicated their life to serving the Lord.
They have both left us with a strong heritage and many memories of their love.
Toots will be greatly missed by her children; Glenda, Cynthia (Jerry), Dion (Waynette); Grandchildren; Shelbi, Mitchell, Ernestine, Theran, Jerome, Rayden, Ellora, Gracelyn, Dyondrae, Kashta, Hunni, Drew, Waynetta, Darlin Wendall, Cecily Sherilyn, Dwight, Lester, Shane, Norbert, Jocelyn, Michael, Dillon, Ramsey; Anikoo’s Great Grandchildren; Nova and Oakley. Also loved by her siblings; Gerald Mckay, Viola Mckay, Marlene Swan (Allan), Darcy Mckay (Anglea), Gladys Mckay-Gasken (Craig), George Mckay, Kim Mckay; inlaws; Irene Pelletier (Earl), Florence Paynter (Philip), Audrey Mousseau and numerous nieces & nephews, as well as godchildren who all had a special place in her heart. Toots was predeceased her husband Cecil Desjarlais, Baby Shab, parents Morris & Annie Mckay.
Pallbearers; Craig Swan, Simon Desmerais, Blaine Constant, Mitchell Mousseau, Chris Cook, James Mckay
Honourary PallBearers; Marlene Edwards, Marilyn Beaulieu, Becky Kew, Elaine Beaulieu, Carol Wiebe, Anne Ferland, Alice Ducharme, Marie Louise Mckay, Mary Maruschuk, Ryan Richard, Beverly Moose, Anne Ferland, Alice Ducharme, Marie Louise Mckay, Isabelle Desjarlais, Katie Whitford, The Chartier Family, The Cook Family, The Mercredi Family, USA Gramma and family, Malcolm and Jean Stanley, Nancy McIvor, Cecil McIvor, Jonathan Bell, former colleagues and Lakeside dancers.
Wake will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at he Masonic Hall. 50 Tupper Street South, Portage la Prairie.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Anne Marie Angelic Desjarlais August 31 1951 December 24 2018 (age 67)..
Source:ronald moffit memorial services
Décès pour la Ville: Portage-la-Prairie, Province: Manitoba
