CHARLOTTE (CHARLIE) DIANE SPIECH

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CHARLOTTE (CHARLIE) DIANE SPIECH
October 17, 1942 - April 13, 2022

My name is Charlie (Charlotte) Spiech, née Cadieux, and I was born on October 17, 1942, à l'hôpital Saint-Boniface. I spent the first six years of my life in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, with my parents, Rita and Raymond Cadieux; and brothers, Eddy (Edgar), Dennis (Gaby), and Henry; and sisters, Lucy (Lucette - my favourite person on the planet) and Mariette. We had a cow named Blue.
We moved to the town of Saint-Boniface when I was six. I lived in four different houses, three of which were within 200 feet of the corner of Dubuc and Des Meurons. I was reprimanded at school for being left handed. And so I became a left-handed barber. It's true! I married Stanley Spiech in 1964. I had a pet skunk named Chanel. I met Marty Robbins once, and Nana Mouskouri. I love a good story, and interesting things.
In 1972 I found my piece of gold, Carmen, and I raised her, and chased her to Vancouver Island, the Gaspé, the East Coast and Hudson's Bay. And she always came home. We shared dogs.
In the mid-80s I opened Charlie's Place on that corner in St. B, so that I could work on a painting, a crossword puzzle, or do some gardening or bake between customers. Then I met Constable Joe Zukowski. He came barging into the shop to see some of my paintings, maybe to get a haircut. I got to spend the best years of my life with him. I'll miss our 3 a.m. card games, and stealing all my dimes back. Our yard on Avalon was a plant and deer and squirrel and bird and stray cat and dinner guest paradise. Sitting by the fire with friends, sitting in the swing with Soleil when she was a baby, eating raspberries from the canes…all golden.
Now it's spring, and I have gone up. I had a great time, and have thought a lot about you in the past few months. Thanks Eddy, Jack, Philip, and Jackie, all my neighbours, all my nieces and nephews, for all of your help over the years. Thank you Grant, and all the Mitchells, for all your love and support, and for giving Carmen such a great bunch of in-laws. If you knew me, you knew me, and you'd know I wouldn't want anything fancy now. I told Carmen: "No headstone, you'll know where I am." Ask Soleil what I want- she took notes. Though I'll tell ya this: it will be outside! And it won't go late, either. Bring your guitars and banjos if you've got 'em. There will be some lawn chairs, but if you bring a couple, then that's good too! OK! Read Psalm 23, I'm coming Lord!

God bless, I love you all!
Charlie.

Family and friends may sign a book of condolence online at www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

Desjardins Funeral Home
204-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2022