GABRIELLE FAVREAU (née Georget)
1921 – 2013
Gabrielle Favreau passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the age of 91 years in Calgary, AB where she had been living for the past three years. Gabrielle was born July 19, 1921 on her parents’ farm in Domremy, SK. Following her father’s tragic farming accident when she was four, the family lived in various parts of Western Canada so her mother could support the young family as a teacher. She attended eleven schools to complete her education. Gabrielle’s musical journey started in Winnipeg at the age of 16. She would sit at her window listening to a young neighbour practice his violin and she found it so beautiful she asked for a violin so she could learn to play like him. Later, in 1944, Gabrielle graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Music degree. She began her career as a music teacher traveling three hundred miles every week to give music lessons in various communities. She married Denis, the love of her life, and continued to teach music in Domremy, Tisdale, and finally Prince Albert. Gabrielle was an active member of the Prince Albert music community. When she and Denis moved to Prince Albert, Gabrielle played in the Prince Albert Orchestra, was a long-time member of the Kiwanis Music Festival Committee, organist at St. Joseph’s Church, and in 1987, together with her husband, Gabrielle joined the newly formed French choir Entr’Amis. Gabrielle attended music workshops and conferences in Canada, England and Hawaii. In 1972, the Suzuki Violin Workshop had an especially strong impact on her approach to teaching young violinists. Her string groups performed at many venues including senior homes, churches and the penitentiary. Gabrielle enjoyed baking and entertaining relatives and friends. She was an avid seamstress, sewing new dresses for her daughters every Christmas and later sewing for her grandchildren. In her spare time she also enjoyed knitting and crocheting and later in life, needlework. There were many family road trips across Canada and the United States. As empty-nesters, they adventured to Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. With the arrival of grandchildren, Gabrielle and Denis focused their travels throughout North America celebrating special occasions with them. After her husband passed away, Gabrielle moved into the Boardwalk Retirement Community in Calgary so she could be closer to her daughters and their families. She was an active member of the community participating in the weekly sing-a-longs, games, movie nights, cultural outings and exercises. She was also able to attend her grandchildren’s school, sports and cultural events and took great pride in their accomplishments. Gabrielle is survived by her daughters Sharyn and her daughter Emi-Liën of Calgary, AB, Laurelle (Don) Verdery and her step children Amanda (fiancé Tyler Young), Sara (Jerry) Mabb, and James of Morris, CT, USA and Joylyn (Mark) Skoko and her sons Sébastien, Zacharie and Jonathon of Calgary, AB; as well as nieces and nephews. Gabrielle was predeceased by her husband Denis, her infant daughter Marie, her parents Alexis and Georgiana (née Lecland) Georget; her brother, Roland; her brother and sister-in-law, René and Rosida Georget; and her sister and brother-in-law, Simone and Petrus Demarche. Prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 from River Park Memorial Chapel, 301 River Street West. Sister Rosanne Favreau will officiate. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Maurice Fiolleau at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26 from Sacred Heart Cathedral, 1401 – 4 Avenue West. Interment will take place in The Garden of the Old Rugged Cross, Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the guest book at www.riverparkfuneral.ca It is the family’s request that those wishing to place memorials may do so to the charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.
 

• Date : 2013-04-18 06:00:00
• Location : Calgary, AB