LARSON: In Loving Memory of Marie Thérèse Lucille Larson (Mireau) who passed away October 30, 2011 at St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, SK. Lucille is survived by her loving children: Terrell (Bonnie- deceased), Lisa and Joseph of Calgary, AB; Roger (Lili-Anne), Monique and Roger-Christopher of Ottawa, ON; Carol (Cecil Andrew), Curtis, Scott, Amy of Macrorie, SK; Dale of Robinhood, SK; Beverly (Jim Moran), Katie, Alex of Sylvan Lake, AB; siblings: Clement, Clemence (Midge) Patterson, Rolland, Blanche Tuchelt, Gregoire, Alice Walton and Maurice; nieces, nephews and their families. Lucille was predeceased by her husband, Leo; parents, Alonzo and Alexandrine Mireau; siblings: Donat (Don), Aime (Tony), Delia (Vi) Hammond. Vigil Of Prayer was held Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with Jean Pawlus, Presider. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Gerard Legaspi, Celebrant, both Services from Notre Dame De Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK. Music Ministry was Director and Pianist ~ Lisa Hornung, Notre Dame Parish Choir and Soloists: Jaki Esquirol, Roger St. Pierre, Robert MacKay and Laurie Miller ~ Pianist. The Pallbearers were Brad Dunser, Eric Larson, Raymond Larson, Ross Mireau and Cory Walton and all others who shared in Lucille's life. Fellowship lunch was served by the C.W.L. at Knights of Columbus Hall. Memorials are requested to Outlook & District Health Foundation Inc. P.O. Box 427, Outlook, SK S0L 2N0 and Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan #1 - 345 Third Ave S, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M6. Interment took place at Garden of Devotion ~ Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, North Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200 Eulogy Marie Thérèse Lucille was born on August 4, 1930 to Alonzo and Alexandrine (St. Pierre) Mireau in Doremy, SK. She was their 6th child and had 6 brothers, and 4 sisters. It was a typical French-Canadian household - a large family, French was spoken at home and the Catholic Church was an integral, central part of their daily lives. Her family moved many times; Wakaw, Melfort, and Nipawin. She attended public schools and boarded at the Convent in Prud'homme for two years. She graduated high school in Nipawin. Most of her adult life was spent living on the farm at Robinhood (Glaslyn/Medstead district); from 1972 - 76 the family lived in Green Lake, Lebret, and Cutbank, SK, in 2006 she moved to Outlook, and recently resided in Saskatoon. Mom learned English in Grade 1 and it became her daily language. In her 50's she regained her fluency in French by taking an Immersion course at University. She was quite successful with this goal and was proud of her renewed ability - striking up conversations whenever possible. She was very proud of her heritage especially as the family grew with French speaking spouses and grandchildren completing their schooling in French immersion. She delighted in being a "Frog" and collected or was given everything "froggy" from socks to garden decorations. Childhood stories touched on hardship, but mainly the experiences recounted enjoyment she had with her brothers and sisters, swimming every afternoon and roasting potatoes for their lunch; picking apples for her mother who then served a most delicious apple dumpling dessert; herself delivering parcels for a pharmacy to pay for piano lessons; and her mother making her the most fabulous satin graduation dress from the living room curtains. During her school years Mom very actively participated in drama, choir and oratory and won competitions in these areas. She loved to dance and was part of a youth group that would tap dance for community functions. She enrolled at Normal School (teacher's college) in Saskatoon. One year later, 1950, she boarded a train to become the school mistress of Robin School at Robinhood, SK. The school was grades one to nine, and she recounted: although shaking in her shoes and looking up at the older students, she was there to teach, and so she did! She taught for another year after her marriage to Leo Larson in 1951, then "retired" to the busy life of farm wife with 5 children. At first she again was a student - she fully admitted to not knowing how to boil water, but was soon up to her elbows in potato peels, threshing crews and gardens with Mom Larson. Mom returned to the teaching profession in Glaslyn in 1968. She began many years of extension classes on Saturdays and summer school courses in Saskatoon to upgrade her teaching certificate to 3rd year university level, and then decided to complete her degree. Dad, some of us children and grandchildren proudly watched her receive her Bachelor of Education with Distinction. She was only, as she would say later, 56. Mom thoroughly enjoyed her years of taking classes and teaching. Teaching was a large part of her life. She thought the world was a fascinating place and loved sharing ideas and discussing topics. Many of us will recall that Mom was right, and usually she was. She enjoyed the debate of convincing us why. If there was a challenge she met it fully - whether it was a worldly topic or more personal. Mom was active with the Robinhood Homemakers Club. During their sports days she couldn't wait to finish her booth shift to go play ball. And could she run! - her size had nothing on her spirit. Mom's early participation in the Arts continued throughout her life and career. Putting on plays with the children at school, Homemakers Club, and 4-H club in Cutbank were enjoyed and readily undertaken. As an adult, she was a member of Medstead's Twilight Twirlers square dance club. She was a member of the choir at St. Rita's Church in Medstead and sang purely and happily from the heart. She fondly recalled singing with her family and listening to her dad play the violin. Visiting with her family usually included a sing-a-long whether in the kitchen or at church. Having fun was important to Mom, She truly enjoyed anything unusual, and enjoyed using her wit with (and against!) her friends. She had a profound enjoyment of playing games especially cards and would embrace not only the interaction but also the win. She had a difficult time letting the grandchildren win Fish. She read voraciously; the Bible twice, the Classics, Macleans, poetry, non-fiction and bestsellers. She never went anywhere without her book. In the last few years, Sudoku puzzles became an item of interest and challenge for her - she usually completed the challenging ones first, and she always wrote a comment in the margin telling what she thought of that particular puzzle - "too easy", "great", "gotcha" were some of her thoughts. Formally retired in 1992 after open-heart surgery, Mom took up a winter hobby - crocheting afghans. She made Dad's first, then continued to complete one for each child, grandchild, friend, niece, nephew, wedding, new baby, church, school or other local fundraiser that she could. She and Dad enjoyed a motorhome they bought. They went to Alaska, Ontario, North Dakota, Quebec and the East Coast on distant trips, with many in Alberta and Saskatchewan to see the children and grandchildren who were always invited to join them. Mom's love of her family and friends was absolute. She insisted it was important to know all your relatives: even if they were 8th cousins twice removed! We were all so very important to her and are blessed to have shared in her life and love. Mom lived a full life, accepting what was, but if it could be improved upon she got that handled too. She embraced her humble beginnings, but reveled in the achievements. She taught not only academic subjects, but also life lessons: determination; dedication; believe in one's self; friendship; dependency; Faith; goal-setting; achieving; defend yourself; believe in others; laugh at life and also yourself; Love; Sing; question yourself, others and the world; learn throughout your whole life - live fully. Perhaps the final lesson she taught is that if you live, love and care for those around you without limit, you will be granted with peace and fulfillment for yourself and in the eyes of the Lord. A favorite verse she embraced was St. Francis of Assisi: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace it is in dying that we are born to Eternal life." We'll miss you Mom, Gramma, Friend, Teacher. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
