Obituary for
Nicole Marie Deschenes
Sadly on January 27th, in a place where she dedicated countless hours cheering on her children and grandchildren, Nicole began the next leg of her great adventure. She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband and travel companion, James Angus; her loving children Marc Levac, Sarah Gaudet (Marty), Lindsay Kearns (Rob) and Éric Levac (Sadia); and her precious grandchildren of whom she was so proud: Jonah, Liam, Danny, Sean, Casey, Margaret, Izabel, Nadya, Shanzay, Zara and Shahrukh. Nicole/Mom/Grandmaman/Grandma ensured that her love to travel and passion to live life to its fullest would live on for generations to come.
Pre-deceased by her parents, Marcel Deschênes and Thérèse Bourgeois and her brothers-in-law Mac and Terry Angus; Nicole also leaves behind her childhood accomplices, sisters Monique (Michel Charlebois), Suzanne (Gillian Marston) and Claudette (Wally Boxhill) and their daughters Amanda (Kevin Smiley and son Dominic) and Stéphanie Boxhill; sister-in-law Ann (Jim Crooker); countless nieces and nephews; and an infinite number of people and friends touched by Nicole’s passion and determination.
Nicole was always up for a challenge and would never back down. If you dared tell her that something was not possible or that she was wrong; you’d better be ready for what was to come.
Our matriarch was the first female paper “boy” in Ottawa at the age of 11, was first published by the Ottawa Citizen at the age of 19, graduated with a degree in Journalism from Carleton University at the age of 21, joined motherhood at the age of 22, first female senior executive with the Public Service Alliance of Canada at the age of 28, managed to get her anonymous report on Equal Opportunities tabled in the House of Commons and Senate by David MacDonald (PC Spokesperson on the Status of Women) at the age of 32, became the first female member of the Executive Committee at Public Works Canada at the age of 39, became DG Communications at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at age 41, married her soul mate at the age of 43, became a grandmother at the age of 54, climbed Mount Kinabalu at the age of 55, walked the 775 km Camino at the age of 67, and became an angel at the age of 73.
Those who knew Nicole lived in awe of her generosity and giving nature – she never stopped. Raising awareness for social issues; getting involved in her community; volunteering; sponsoring children in need; participating on various school, hospital and condo Boards such as the Royal Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the Governors of Carleton University; supporting her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting associations; organizing events; starting traditions; hosting family events and get togethers; and all that before lunch.
Since her retirement in 1996, she pursued her passion to travel and her secret desire to become a travel agent…taking her travel companion to nearly every nook and cranny on this earth in the search of adventure and discovery; often enlisting other family members to join. Our grief today is shared around the world as Nicole’s sense of adventure left lasting impressions with countless newly-found friends, being the ambassador of Canadian values that she so dearly believed in.
Thank you Nicole/Mom/Grandmaman/Grandma for everything, you have brought so much happiness to our lives and left us with so many dear memories. We love you. Bon voyage!
Friends are invited to visit at the St. Laurent Chapel of Hulse, Playfair McGarry, 1200 Ogilvie Road (at Aviation Parkway) on Monday, February 4th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Tuesday, February 5th from 11 a.m. until the time of the Memorial Service in the Chapel at 1 p.m. Reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Nicole would have encouraged you to make a donation to the charity of your choice, to get involved and make a difference.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nicole Marie
Deschenes 1945 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Ottawa, Province: Ontario