Louise Adrienne Marie Aquin
Born April 10, 1931, at “Bois de Travers”, in the RM of Portage la Prairie, Louise found herself the fifth child of Zephirin and Angeline (Gervais) Aquin.
After attending 10 years of school in Elie, MB, Louise left the small town, to work in the big city with her sisters. She found employment at St.Boniface Hospital, in the accounting department. But her life was not fulfilled until she met the man of her dreams, Gerard (Gerry) Cournoyer. They met while enjoying an evening of dancing at the Teen Center (Cercle Ouvrier) in St B. After four years of courtship, they were married in Elie, and moved into their new home in Lorette.
Gerry was a part-time farmer, helping his Dad, as well as a truck driver for the Gretsinger Trucking Company, when he first married Louise. Shortly after that, they ventured into the life of self-employment: purchasing a 3 ton truck for city deliveries, as well as buying half of the family farm, 175 acres of agricultural land. Louise never went back to working in the city after the wedding. Her days were filled with gardening, cooking, sewing, bookkeeping for the farm and for the trucking business. As well, they welcomed into their lives 4 children: Monique, Andre, Alain and Joceline, over the span of 10 years.
Gerry was always busy with organisations like Knights of Columbus, parish council, even the Caisse Populaire of Lorette. Louise preferred being home with the family, though she never missed any committee outings with Gerry. They even participated in a few trips out east with the Boy Scouts, and with the Caisse Populaire.
As a couple, they always enjoyed playing cards, dancing, curling and horseshoes. They never won any dancing competitions, but Louise never knew what to do with all the curling and horseshoe trophies they acquired over the years. They also enjoyed numerous family gatherings where Gerry would play his guitar as he and Mom sang countless songs with the extended family.
Life was good, and Gerry retired from trucking in 1988. They had sold the farm, and now Louise and Gerry could enjoy their grandchildren, gardening, fishing, and short trips with relatives. But all too soon that came to an end when Gerry was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 1992. Though he fought valiantly, he succumbed to his illness September 30, 1992.
Louise decided to remain in their home in Lorette. Her faith helped her surmount the challenges faced by widows, and her family kept her busy.
Living right beside her eldest daughter, who had eight children, she was often found walking in the field between the two homes, on her way to babysit, or help out with the twins, in winter as in summer. She even became a homeschooling teacher, helping Monique’s youngest boys learn to read and write; how she enjoyed those quiet times, one on one, with her grandsons! She also had a special place in her heart for her special granddaughter, Jackie…oh, the love and pride she experienced every time Jackie accomplished a new task. Many family gatherings were spent playing cards with memere, while many Sunday afternoons were spent playing scrabble ….and sometimes managing to win a game.
In 2015, Louise knew it was time to move out of the house. She spent three and a half years at Residence Despins before dementia forced her to move into Action Margarite St Vital, for the last year and a half.
She leaves a legacy of 15 grand children, who all loved their Memère Cournoyer, and 24 great-grandchildren. Many will remember having to go receive their Christmas gift from Memere and have their picture taken with her, and the Easter egg hunts in the basement.
As Louise left this earth the morning of June 24th, her beautiful Tiger Lillies that she had planted and nurtured for so many years, at the West side of her house in Lorette, bloomed in full orange splendor! That was our sign…our Lord brought Mom home! We will miss you Mom, but we will never regret your leaving! It was your time. Thank you for all you have done for us, and especially teaching us to love, forgive and GET ALONG! You will always be remembered at every family gathering! Until we meet again!
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Louise Cournoyer Wednesday June 24th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Oakbank, Province: Manitoba