With heavy hearts, the family of Linda Frances Sletmoen announces her passing on June 18, 2022, at Andy’s House Residential Hospice in Port Carling, Ontario. Linda leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Robert; her children Anne (Jeff) Graham of Huntsville, Ontario, and Ryan (Joanna) of Duncan, British Columbia; grandchildren Caryn (Nick) Farnsworth of Burks Falls, Ontario, Ian Graham of Whitehorse, Yukon, and Katie and David Sletmoen of Duncan, British Columbia. Linda will be missed tremendously by brothers Arthur Bourré of Westville, Nova Scotia and Robert (Sandra) Bourré of Burlington; as well as by her many friends and family in Fort Frances, Ontario. Linda was predeceased by her infant daughter Caren in 1969.
Linda was born February 4, 1940, in Rainy River, Ontario, to parents Ernest and Frances Bourré. She attended Rainy River High School and married Robert on June 25, 1960. That is when their adventures began. Robert and Linda spent the first four years of their married life on McKenzie Island while Robert completed his electrical apprenticeship. They packed up their ’63 Ford and moved to Fort Frances in 1964. Linda had started as a teller at the CIBC bank in Rainy River, transferring to the Balmertown Branch, then to the 343 Scott Branch, and finally to the Scott and Mowat Branch, where she worked as a Loans Officer until she retired in 1995.
Linda and Robert went on many trips over the years. They traveled all over Canada, primarily camping and road tripping. Upon retirement, they started traveling overseas. Linda and Robert traveled to England, took part in a river boat cruise through Europe, an Alaskan cruise, and journeyed to South Africa with trusty travel companions Bob and Sam. They traveled to New Zealand for Ryan and Joanna’s wedding and toured the country with the family. Their biggest family trip was through Norway with the whole extended family, providing memories we will remember forever.
Linda was meticulously organized, writing down details by hand. Her personal accounting books created a family legend. She was a reader and enjoyed a book every night before bed. She had immaculate gardens, with daisies being one of her favourite flowers. She was a decorator, ensuring every season or event had decor. She was always reading magazines or watching home renovation programs. Her mind was always working on ways to redesign and decorate a home. Linda loved receiving her weekly Sunday phone calls from her children and grandchildren and treasured their visits, as everyone lived so far away.
Linda and Robert were active in the Kiwanis Club in Fort Frances, hosting and attending many gatherings and events. For many years Linda canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society. Meeting friends for coffee at McDonald’s was part of the daily routine. For many years she also partook in the CIBC retiree lunches, catching up with coworkers from the past. She also enjoyed, on a nice day, “an old car ride” in one of Robert’s classic cars. If it ended up at the Dairy Queen for a blizzard, so much the better!
Last year, Linda and Robert moved to Castle Peak Retirement Home in Bracebridge, Ontario, to be closer to family and to access more support. Linda’s last few days were spent at Andy’s House Residential Hospice. The entire staff’s compassion and support made it easy for the family to be with her.
A celebration of life will occur on Sunday August 28, 2022 between one and three p.m. at La Place Rendezvous, Fort Frances Ontario. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The Alzheimer’s Society, Andy’s House Residential Hospice or the Canadian Cancer Society.
www.mitchellfuneralhome.ca
