GISÈLE MARIE CLÉMENCE DELAQUIS

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gisèle Delaquis, at the age of 72 years. Gisèle died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Riverview Health Center.

Gisèle was a dedicated physiotherapist, an open-minded traveller, a lover of classical music and nature. She was a supportive sister, a kindred spirit for her friends and colleagues and, most of all, a woman who loved her family. Her pride and joy were her sons – Pierre, Martin, Justin and Stéphane. As a mother, Gisèle had an endless amount of patience for four rambunctious boys and she parented with grace, demonstrating a wonderful balance of modeling what it is to be a human being, while also fully embracing “letting go”. She taught them to be kind and respectful. To honor themselves and their family. To love. Her greatest achievement is reflected in the men those boys became. Kind, loving and thoughtful men; attentive partners and fathers.

As a mother-in-law, Gisèle welcomed her daughters-in-law with a ready smile and open heart from the very first time she met them. She supported and encouraged their relationships with her sons, celebrated their love stories and delighted in her growing family. The French word for mother-in-law is “belle-mère”, which translates to “beautiful mother” and two words could not describe Gisèle more perfectly.  She was an amazing woman with a beautiful heart, always willing to love and honor another person coming into the family.

In her later years, she became a proud and loving grandmother who took pride in her five beautiful grandchildren – Sébastien, Maxim, Luc, Chloé and Mathieu. She often came to hockey, soccer and basketball games, to gymnastic or dance classes. She made endless trips to the park and spent hours playing or reading stories. She often travelled to Comox and Moose Jaw, to visit her son Stéphane, his wife Jackie and their children. When Grand-mère came to visit, she gave you her undivided attention, with patience and kindness, which made her a favourite visitor.

From her friends – “Être dans la présence de Gisèle, c’était vivre des moments de qualité. Sa présence, son grand respect pour les autres, et son engagement envers sa famille étaient sans pareils. Sa première priorité était sa famille, ses enfants, ses belles-filles et ses petits-enfants. Elle se souciait de leur bien-être et s’assurait qu’ils se sentaient aimés et vus. Elle vivait sa vie dans la gratitude, dans l’amour et la joie de vivre. Elle était engagée et déterminée tout au long de sa vie.”

Gisèle was beautiful, patient, gentle and kind. She was always positive and grateful, quick to smile and laugh. She lived her life with grace and dignity, and managed to carry on the same way throughout her illness. She was grateful for everything and everyone until the very end. She always had a kind word to say to those who cared for her and always expressed her gratitude for her “army of angels” – those blessed people who helped her until her final days - her sisters, her friends and her family.

She will be greatly missed, but we carry on knowing that she taught us all how to live. With compassion, gratitude and kindness.

We welcome those who would like to pay their respects to attend the funeral service at 2pm on Thursday, July 27 at St. Eugene Parish (1009 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg).

In lieu of flowers, Gisèle requested that donations be made to Henteleff Park Foundation or Morberg House.

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​