CECILIA MARIE YVONNE MASSE

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CECILIA MARIE YVONNE MASSE (CIS) On January 5, 2015 Cis lost her battle with cancer at the age of 66, with her family at her side. She was predeceased by her parents Laurette and Ronald Masse. Cis was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, where her family has lived for generations. She left Windsor at age 16 to come to Manitoba and join a religious order to become a nun. She stayed in the order for several years, but eventually left, seeking other horizons in her life. Her years as a nun left a mark on Cis, like community living, meditation, and memories. She went on to have different jobs, but her favourite was as unit clerk in St. Boniface Hospital, where she met her life-partner Maria, and formed other friendships that lasted to the end. Maria and Cis went on many trips crisscrossing Canada and the USA in their motor home and always took pets Cindy and Blackie with them. They also made trips to Cuba, which Cis adored. She loved the Cuban rhythms and also the Argentine Tango. Cis was a captivating story teller with a sense of humour and family anecdotes from Windsor about the prohibition and Great Depression era. Cis was a people person, and was especially great with kids. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining for us all. She had a joy for life to the very end, and will be very much missed by her long-time partner Maria Davi; by Cis' family in Windsor: brother Paul Masse and his family; sisters Arlene Gendron and her family, and Marilyn Masse. In Winnipeg, left to mourn are Maria's son Danny Betancourt; Maria's sister Elsa Strelkov and her family in Winnipeg and Edmonton, and also many friends, neighbours, and extended family in Winnipeg and Windsor. Cis and her family want to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her best friends Beth Bloomfield and Linda Kavanaugh for their love and support, as well as the many friends who came to visit; also to her family physician Dr. Ishmael Mohammed for many years of excellent care and Dr. Virginia Fraser from CancerCare at St. Boniface Hospital. Special thanks to the amazing, compassionate staff of the Palliative Care Program: particularly to nurse Judy, Director Mary Ashcroft, and Dr. Fiona Crow. Thank you also to Neil Bardal Funeral Centre in Winnipeg, and Family First in Windsor, for their kind service. Her ashes will be taken to Windsor to rest with her parents. Donations can be made in honour of Cis' life to the Salvation Army of Winnipeg, or a charity of one's choice. A celebration of Cis' life will be announced at a later date. "Keep Calm and Carry On." "I had a good run - No regrets." NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 10, 2015