ELIZABETH EILEEN BEAUCHEMIN (HADDOCK)

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ELIZABETH EILEEN BEAUCHEMIN (nee HADDOCK) July 20, 1920 - June 18, 2013 ...Reunited again... Mom, surrounded and held by her family, was escorted into the Kingdom of God in a peaceful and beautiful passing, one month before her 93rd birthday. With love and fondest memories, we would like to share with you the passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Aunt, Elizabeth Eileen Beauchemin (Haddock). She was the last of her family's generation on both sides of the family. Reuniting with her in Heaven are her husband Jules, her parents Ethel and John Haddock, stepfather Walker Hoskin, her brother Frank, her sister Irene, her granddaughter Andrée, her grandson Jamie, her son Robert, and her daughter Sylvia. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughters Noëlla (Gilbert), Doris (Syd), Hélène and son Roland. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Merrily and Leona, and son-in-law Bill, 12 grandchildren and their spouses, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Mom was born July 20, 1920 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Ethel and John Edward Haddock. She moved to Manitoba as a young girl and to Ile-des-Chênes, where she met her husband-to-be Jules, at the tender age of 13 years old. After several years, a courtship ensued until Mom reached the marrying age of 21 and marry they did in 1942. Mom had a very strong faith in God and Jesus her Saviour. She converted to Catholicism prior to marrying our father and became a model Catholic, attending services and instilling in her children a love of God and His work. To nearly her last day on earth, she continued to recite the rosary and sing hymns of praise even as she grew so tired. Mom had her favourite passages in the Bible, the pages which are well-worn from several readings by family. As a farm wife, Mom helped Dad on the dairy farm in Ile-des-Chênes right from the beginning of their married life. She would teach full-time and then hurry home to help her mate in whatever fashion was required. She could often be seen driving a grain truck, feeding the cows, hauling milk, tending the garden, knitting, crocheting afghans, baking bread on a Saturday night and driving meals out to Dad in the field, sometimes well past dark, an adventure all of us remember but only after our homework was completed. Mom and Dad's love story goes beyond words. Their dedication to each other was so very evident their whole married life. After Dad's stroke, Mom entertained him, looked after all of his needs and advocated for him at all times. She became his voice when he was unable to speak, all while encouraging his independence. Only one time did she overstep the boundary when she completely shaved off his moustache! She played the fiddle for him when he was no longer able despite being tone deaf and missing a note here and there. Disagreements were few and far between and always resulted in hand-holding and a sweet caress. Mom was a hard-working mother to six children. She was the consummate optimist, teaching her children how to cook without a recipe, sew without a pattern, knit and remove mistakes, organize a home, write, read and spell, garden and preserve, problem-solve, and discuss world issues. Driving however, was not one of those skills. Mom loved a party, mostly because she enjoyed seeing all of us unite for the event. Any occasion was one to have a hot cup of tea with some type of sweet treat with dunking cookies allowed only at home. As a teacher, Mom first taught in Prairie Grove and then at Nordale School in Norwood and at Queen Elizabeth teaching her beloved Grade 7s. After 20 years of teaching, Mom has students scattered across the continent, hundreds no doubt who live in Winnipeg and were touched by her teaching abilities and ice cream every Friday afternoon. At a Nordale School reunion, Mom held court with a two hour lineup of students who wanted an opportunity to visit with their Grade 7 teacher, Mrs. Beauchemin. Mom took an early retirement to care for Dad following his stroke. Mom was a wonderful grandma providing after school support to many of her grandchildren. She loved to tell stories of her childhood and share thoughts about life and living. An essay for a university course was morphed into a biographic chapter; a gift to her family. The cookie jar was always full at Grandma's house and there was always a lap to sit on. Only once was there a problem when a measuring tape was cut into snake-sized pieces for a game. Life-long learning was very important to Mom. Having been a teacher for several years, she completed her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education well into her 50s. She had lofty goals and imparted these goals to all of her children. Mom was well-read and opinionated and expressed herself very clearly and succinctly. She would probably have made a fine lawyer or politician had the times been different. Life-long education was very important to Mom whether formal or not. Every day provided opportunities to learn and teach a new lesson. The community in which Mom lived was very important. She lived most of her life in Ile-des-Chênes, taking a short detour to Windsor Park for a few years but finding her way back to the village where she felt comfortable and chez-soi. She was president of the Club D'Or and although not able to sing, she contributed to many a dance by calling the square dances. She also served on the Catholic Women's League and rarely missed baking for the fundraising bake sales. Her last community volunteer work was with the South Eastman Health Regional Board for which a certificate of participation hung proudly in her home. Mom was at the Actionmarguerite (Foyer Valade) for the last years of her life. Here she made many friends and was known as "The Teacher", always ready to teach residents to read, ready to discuss the day's political events and ready to delicately correct anyone's incorrect grammar. She was also known to have a smile on her face and a song on her lips to accompany her happy attitude. Mom died as she lived, as the humble yet compelling center of a crowd of family and friends who loved her. Her characteristic grace and gratitude to others was evident in her final days as she used heartfelt words. When those failed her, hand squeezes were used to thank those who visited and cared for her. Mom would constantly look longingly at her wedding photo, even when her sight began to fail. We can only rejoice that Betty and Jules will be reunited in the presence of God. Mom and her family would like to sincerely thank the third floor staff at Actionmarguerite (Foyer Valade) for their compassionate care and love over the last few years: Hélène, Theresa (times two), Princess, Donna, Arnel, Bazolo, Antonio, Jean, Laurette and Ginette (Charlie's Angels), Goreth, Marguerite, Anastasie, Ambereen, Ingrid, Rachel and John to name a few. Also to be recognized are the dietary staff, recreation staff, hairdressers, maintenance staff, volunteers and staff from We Care, Elizabeth and Renée. You were all so kind, thoughtful and patient. Mom's funeral service and celebration of life will be held at the Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons Street on July 20 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Miséricorde Parish Cemetery in Ile-des-Chenes, MB. The family gratefully declines flowers, but if desired a donation may be made to an organization of one's choice. Avec beaucoup d'amour dans nos coeurs et des gros bisous. Chère maman, un grant merci pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour nous, Au plaisir de se revoir........ Condolences may be sent to www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca Desjardins 233-4949 1-888-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2013