VALEDA ELIZABETH DeGAGNE

Valeda Elizabeth DeGagne, 90, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at her residence Sunday, June 3, 2001.
Mrs. DeGagne was born Jan. 15, 1911 in LaBroquerie, Man., where she was raised. In September, 1936, she moved to Crozier, Ont., where she lived until moving to Fort Frances.
She later moved to Winnipeg, Man., where she lived until recently returning to Fort Frances.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s League in Fort Frances. She had worked at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, and also was a foster parent for many years.
She loved gardening and cooking, and spent her life raising her family and foster children.
Valeda was united in marriage Nov. 9, 1927 to Odilas DeGagne, who predeceased her Oct. 31, 1969. She also was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Maria Chartier; grandson, Paul LaFleur in 1962; granddaughter, Caron DeGagne in 1986; three brothers; one sister; son-in-law, Jean Paul LaFleur in 1986; daughter-in-law, Madeline in 1986; and sons, Laurent and Charles Etienne in 1994.
She is survived by her sons, Orielle and wife, Pearl, of Fort Frances, Ont.; Felix and wife, Elsie, of Dryden, Ont., Emile and wife, Bernice, of Kenora, Ont., Edmond and wife, Claudette, of Winnipeg, Man., Yves and wife, Kathleen, of Alberton Township, Ont., Rene and wife, Mona, of Foremost, Alta., and Maurice and wife Patricia, of Winnipeg, Man.; and daughters, Lucille LaFleur of Winnipeg, Man., Lillian and husband, Mike Bodnar, of Crozier, Ont., Lorraine DeGagne of Fort Frances, Ont., and Laura DeGagne and special friend, Ron Tausenfrende, of Devlin, Ont.
Also surviving are 45 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great-granchildren; sister, Mary and husband, Sid Anderson, of Vermilion Bay, Ont.; daughter-in-law, Eleanor DeGagne of Fort Frances, Ont.; sisters-in-law, Maude Gauthier of B.C., Suzanne Chartier of B.C., Daisy Mae DeGagne of Fort Frances, Ont., Flora Jolicoeur of St. Boniface, Man., Raylene Hebert of Crozier, Ont., and Cheryl LaBelle of Emo, Ont., who joined our family at the ages of five and three years; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 6, 2001 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Fr. Tom Meyer O.M.I. officiated, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Parish prayers were offered by the Catholic Women’s League on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Randy DeGagne, Mark LaFleur, Rick DeGagne, Cam DeGagne, Lawrence DeGagne Jr., and Carl DeGagne.
Honourary pallbearers were her grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.