HANDSPIKER, Simone – Peacefully at Miramichi Lodge on Sunday, September 5th, 2021. Simone Handspiker (nee Larose) of Pembroke, beloved wife of Robert Handspiker. Loving mother of Randall (Susan) Richard of Pembroke, Timothy Handspiker of Victoria, BC, Joanne Cynthia Desrochers of Pembroke, Lianne Spring (Murray) of Alberta and Nicole Adams (Robert) of Petawawa. Dear mother-in-law David Healey of Limoges and Sue Hammel of Pembroke. Dear sister of Roseanne (the late Bill) DeGrechie. Also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Predeceased by son Kevin RIchard, by daughter Kelly-Lee Healey, by granddaughter Tania Richard, by parents John “Jack” and Trajena Larose (nee Demers), by sisters Rita Graveline, Morilda Clarke, Cecile Piercey, and by brothers Theodore, Lawrence and Wilfred Larose.
Simone was previously married and had 6 beautiful children. Raising the family on her own, she accepted a position as a Manual Stitcher Operator at Shook Mills (Abitibi, MacMillan Bloedel, MacMillan Bathurst). She would have preferred working as a receptionist at Base Petawawa; nevertheless, it would never compare to the kindness, friendships and special bonds she cherished while working there as they carried out throughout her life. Simone was always looking after her colleagues by being an executive member of the union to ensure they helped set the standards for education, skill levels, wages, working conditions, and quality of life for workers.
In 1965, she met her Knight in Shining Armor, Bob and he met the best thing that ever happened to him! Together, they welcomed another child and raised them all equally with so much love! Simone was involved with the grand opening of the St Joseph’s Food Bank with Mila Mulroney. She valued her Catholic Faith which led her to volunteer with several non-profit organizations. For example, Development & Peace, where she travelled to Cuba and Nicaragua to help the less advantaged in building homes. A long-time member of La Fédération des femmes canadienne françaises, served on St Jean Baptiste Church Parish Council Executive, Jeanne Lajoie Breakfast Club and Pembroke Regional Hospital Ladies’ Auxiliary. As an associate member of the Gray Sisters, she had the immense honor of receiving communion from Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. She travelled several times to undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order to share in Jesus’ life and suffering. She was an Associate Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #72.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the
Neville Funeral Home
491 Isabella St., Pembroke, ON, K8A 5T8
(613) 732-7481
on Friday from 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jean Baptiste Church, Pembroke on Satuday, September 11th, 2021 at 9 a.m. Interment St. Columba’s Cemetery, Pembroke. DUE TO THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS REGARDING COVID – FACE MASKS/COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE SERVICE. Please feel free to bring your own face mask/covering or one will be supplied to you upon arrival. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the St. Joseph’s Food Bank would be appreciated. Online Condolences may be left at www.nevillefuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Simone Handspiker Larose Sunday September 5th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Pembroke, Province: Ontario