On October 31, 1919, a young father paces the floor, then a small cry breaks the silence. “Une fille?” he asks anxiously. “Oui” the nurse replies. “Et un garçon.” “Mon Dieu,” the surprised father whispers. And with that Lucienne Marie Alma Belisle, and her twin brother Lucien, entered the world in a tiny farmhouse close to Legal, Alberta.
Lucienne took on every challenge with heart (and sometimes a little trepidation) including English school in 1925 when all she knew was French. She learned the value of hard work early and as a young woman was employed by local farming families, one of them being the Hébert’s.
Outside of work, she was proud of her powerful pitching arm and her baseball skills. Her family loved to hear stories about her social life as a young woman – Saturday week-end dances, fierce baseball competitions and leg wrestling!
Lucienne soon captured the heart of Jean-Baptiste Hébert. They were married September 28, 1942 at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Edmonton. It wasn’t long before their family began to expand with Paulette arriving in 1943, Danny – 1944, Clement – 1946, Lenard – 1947, Priscilla – 1949, Louise – 1950, and the youngest Marcel – 1952 (still her baby to this day).
After only 11 years of marriage, the unthinkable happened – on November 14, 1953 her husband passed away suddenly while working in Bonnyville. Although relatives offered to take care of several of her children, she was determined to keep her family together.
Lucienne’s strong work ethic, one of her defining traits, helped her do just that. She worked for many years as a janitor at St. Anne’s church as well as a local school. In-between, she managed to clean houses and businesses too!
Once her kids were grown, Lucienne didn’t slow down one bit. She always had a project on the go – could be painting the house, fixing a fence, or looking after her grandchildren.
When climbing on the roof to maintain her house was no longer an option, she moved to the Citadel Care Centre in St. Albert, Alberta. She lived there for nearly 10 years and many thanks go out to the staff for their kind and gentle care.
Lucienne’s faith played an important role in her life, including Sunday mass and her rosary never being far away. She peacefully completed her earthly journey on September 9, 2021, while listening to Clem read her favourite prayers.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jean-Baptiste (1953); three children, Lenard (2011), Paulette (2018) and Louise (2018); and grandson, Duanne (2017).
Our dear Lucienne – mother (ma mère), grandma (mémère), auntie, sister, friend – we will remember you always with much love.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lucienne Hebert 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta