Pearl (nee Poncelet) BassetMay 30, 1924 - December 13, 2010
The death of Mrs. Pearl (nee Poncelet) Basset of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Peterson, SK), occurred at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, SK, on Monday, December 13, 2010. She was 86 years of age. Pearl, the last child in a family of 14, was born on May 30, 1924, to John and Anne (nee Becker) Poncelet at home on their farm seven miles east of Meacham. She grew up there and attended Lucasville Rural School, three-and-a-half miles from home, where she attained her grade eight education. Pearl took grades nine and ten by correspondence. She was only 14 when her father died, so she did her part in helping with all aspects of running the family farm, as well as tending to the daily domestic chores. She certainly learned what hard work was all about at an early age. On July 7, 1948, Pearl married Henri Basset in Saxby Church in the Meacham district. They began their life together on the Basset farm near Peterson. Their union was blessed with six children, three daughters and three sons. Pearl's life revolved around her precious family. She was the quintessential homemaker; her home was always immaculate, her beloved flower beds and vegetable gardens were picture-perfect, and her cooking, baking, and canning were second to none. She also excelled at sewing, quilting, embroidering and crocheting, activities from which she derived much pleasure. Pearl took an active interest in various committees as well; she was a member of the Humboldt Home Care board of directors, St. Peter's Abbacy Pastoral Care, and since 1952 served as secretary, president, treasurer, and convenor for the C.W.L. Throughout the years, her faith and religious beliefs were an important part of her life. Pearl had always loved music and dancing. In fact, it was at a wedding dance that she met Henri who played the accordion and the guitar at a variety of events. Saturday nights were often spent listening to the Old Time Dance Party on the radio. Other favourite pastimes included going to the fair, shopping, and traveling. She especially enjoyed a car trip to British Columbia, an airplane trip to visit her sister in Washington, and one trip to Europe. Pearl lost her soul-mate on February 3, 1994, when Henri died suddenly and unexpectedly. She continued to live on the farm until August 2007, when she moved into Humboldt. Pearl will be lovingly remembered by her six children, 17 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren: Erdine (Jack) Eaton of Lloydminster and family, Blake (Tara) Eaton, Marie Eaton, and John Eaton; Ronald (Starr) Basset of Peterson and family, Jason Basset, Jeremy (Rebecca) Basset and their children Bailey and Morgan, Jeffrey Basset, and Jordan (Liane) Basset; Blair (Marian) Basset of Peterson; Myron (Sharon) Basset of Lloydminster and family, Lee (Johanna) Basset and their children Nathen and Emma, and Marci (Craig) Tonder and son Gieran; Annette (Gene) Legare of Mistatim and family, Avery Legare, Marlin Legare, Garrett Legare, Boyce Legare, and Quinn Legare; and Yvette (Tim) Schuh of Eatonia and family, Lara Schuh, Cassidy Schuh, and Jackson Schuh; one sister, Isabel Hoffman of Humboldt; two sisters-in-law: Blanche Poncelet of Humboldt, and Evelyn Poncelet of Meacham; one brother-in-law, Alphonse Hutmacher of Washington, U.S.A.; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Henri Basset, Jr. (February 3, 1994); parents, John Sr. and Anne (nee Becker) Poncelet; eight brothers: Lawrence Poncelet (in infancy), Lawrence Poncelet II (at the age of seven), Leo (Clara) (Eva) Poncelet, Dominic (Cecilia) Poncelet, George (Helen) Poncelet, John Poncelet Jr., Edward Poncelet, and Bernard Poncelet (Dorothy Wyant); four sisters: Maggie Poncelet (in infancy), Susan (John) Welter, Clara (Joe) Poth, and Margaret Hutmacher; and by brother-in-law, Nick Hoffman. The Prayer Service for Pearl was held at St. Agnes R.C. Church, Peterson, on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. Scripture readers were Garrett Legare and Jeffrey Basset, and the eulogy was delivered by Erdine Eaton, Annette Legare and Yvette Schuh. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Agnes R.C. Church on Thursday, December 16, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Joseph Ackerman, OSB. Others taking part were: Blair Basset, cross bearer; Marci Tonder and Jeremy Basset, scripture readers; Boyce Legare, psalm reader; Lara Schuh and Jackson Schuh, intentions; Ron and Myron Basset, gift bearers; Mark and Connie Basset, memorial table attendants. Honorary pallbearers were godchildren, Evelyn Ball, Sharon Ludubec, Rosella Schmigelski, Philip Hutmacher, Phil Dauvin, Gary Hoffman and Mark Basset. Active pallbearers were Lee Basset, Avery Legare, Blake Eaton, John Eaton, Jason Basset, and Jordan Basset. Interment followed at St. Agnes R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the Canadian Cancer Society, St. Paul's Hospital Palliative Care Unit, or to St. Agnes R.C. Church Memorial Fund. SCHULER-LEFEBVRE, Humboldt, SK.
