MARY CHARLOTTE (KIP) DUCHARME
“Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31
Mary (Kip) Ducharme passed away at Rainycrest in Fort Frances, Ont. on Sept. 28, 2007 at the age of 88.
Kip was born Feb. 12, 1919 in McIrvine, Ont. to Harvey and Annie May Perry. She spent most of her childhood living in the family home in the west end of Fort Frances.
She attended school at Robert Moore, one year in Crozier, and then Fort Frances High School. Kip loved learning, but left school after Grade 11 to help out with the family.
On Nov. 27, 1937, Kip married Leo Ducharme. They lived in Fort Frances and Crozier, and also spent 16 years in Miscampbell. While living on the farm, Kip cared for her family with remarkable homemaking skills.
Her family gratefully remembers, and often talks of, how well she provided for them.
Kip was a member of the Crozier and McIrvine Women’s Institutes and later helped to establish the W.I. of Miscampbell. Her cooking and handcraft skills, along with her interest in gardening and good living, encouraged her to also act as a leader for the 4-H Club.
As a child, Kip was a member of the United Church. During her married years, she attended St. Mary’s parish with her family and converted to Catholicism so she could participate more fully in the mass.
She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada and encouraged her daughters to join as well.
In 1965, Kip and Leo moved to Fort Frances. With most of her family raised, Kip went to work at the New Lunch Café and later managed the coffee shop at the Red Dog Inn.
Wherever Kip lived, she had beautiful flower gardens. She liked to grow sweet peas for picking to bring as fragrant gifts to friends and family.
After the death of her husband, Leo, in 1984, Kip moved to Columbus Place, where she had many good years. Her family is appreciative of the neighbours and friends who kept company with her.
In 2002, due to failing health, Kip moved to Rainycrest, where she lived for five years.
Kip was predeceased by her father, Harvey Perry; mother, Annie May Perry-Ducharme; husband, Leo; son, Harvey; brothers, George, Stanley (Joe), and Lloyd Perry; and sister, Marjorie (Midge) Johnson.
Kip also was predeceased by her step-father, Albert Ducharme; step-brothers, Conrad, Iver, and Odo Ducharme; and step-sisters, Orise Roy, Corrine Brooks, and Val Clarkson.
Kip is survived by her sons, Jack (Mary) and Ray (Shelley) Ducharme; daughters, Diane (George) Revus, Linda (Lyle) Fleming, and Micaela (Doug) Jensen; brother, Clarence Ducharme; sister, June Hughes; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn Perry, Lorna Ducharme, and Gertie Ducharme.
Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including special niece, Marguerite Paulson.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with parish prayers at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will take place Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances, with interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
A reception will follow in St. Mary’s church hall.
The pallbearers will be her grandsons, Darren Revus, Perry Ducharme, Bradley Ducharme, and Patrick Fleming, and nephews, Harvey Perry and Brian O’Connell.
Honourary pallbearers will be Madelyn Manley, Iva Koski, Isla Hayes, Verena Zuchiatti, and the many women who have graced her life with friendship.
The family would like to thank Green Funeral Home, Fr. Francis, the ladies of St. Mary’s Funeral Committee, and the C.W.L. Honour Guard, and special thanks to Dr. Algie and the staff at Rainycrest for their care over the years.
Thank you to all who have visited with Kip and prayed for her. Mom would now say, “Home at last.”
Those wishing to make in memoriam donations may do so to the Rainycrest Auxiliary or in memory of her son, Harvey, to help needy children, to The Call of the Poor, P.O. Box 117, St. Norbert, Man., R3V 1L5.
Donations also can be made through Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
“The hand we reach out to help might very well be the one that pulls us into heaven.”
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