MARIE-THÉRÈSE “TERRY” ELISE TOURNIER-GAUDET
(née BRANGER)
July 8, 1925 – February 5, 2014

Terry bid her final goodbye surrounded by her family, wrapped in their love. She left this life as she had lived it, with grace and gentleness, an inspiration to her family and friends. Terry was born on a farm near St. Louis. She received her education at the St. Louis convent. She completed her post-secondary education at the Saskatoon Normal School, the University of Manitoba and the University of Saskatchewan. Terry began her teaching career in one-room schools in locations such as Jack Fish Lake, Rosetown, Laplaine and Domremy. After teaching for ten years, she met and married Eugene Tournier, a widower with three children, and began a new stage of her life on a cattle farm near Duck Lake. They had three children. When their youngest began school, Terry returned to teaching, this time at Stobart Elementary School in Duck Lake.

She taught there for over twenty years, always either grade one or two. After her retirement from teaching in 1982, Terry and Eugene spent a great deal of time at their cabin at Big Shell Lake. As grandchildren came along, she spent time with them, loving them unconditionally, while creating precious memories they will always treasure. After Eugene’s death in 1990, Terry spent a few years on her own before marrying Ovide Gaudet. They went on to spend ten years together, enjoying life to the fullest, before Ovide’s death in 2010.

Terry was always conscious of the needs of others and volunteered many hours to service organizations, committees and boards, church committees and donating to charities. She was the recipient of the Canada 125 medal and the Saskatchewan Centennial Volunteer medal. She was named Duck Lake’s 1993 Citizen of the Year. She received many other acknowledgements and recognition for her volunteerism. Throughout all her life, Terry had tremendous faith and one of her greatest joys was attending church. She prayed every day and there is no doubt that all who knew her benefited from her prayers on their behalf. Her great faith helped her cope with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and gave her strength as it progressed.

Terry had a quick smile and a gentle hand. She was always thankful for the care she received, especially as her illness progressed to the point that she could no longer live on her own. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Mont St. Joseph’s Home for the amazing care and compassion Terry received. Because of you, Terry had the best quality of life possible until her final day.

She was always treated with kindness and dignity, as was her family as we gathered around her in the last days of her life.

Terry was predeceased by her parents, Calixte and Elise Branger (née Voisin), her husband Eugene, her husband Ovide , her step-grandsons Paul Tournier and Ty Tournier, and her step-granddaughter Katie Sawatzky.

Left to mourn and cherish Terry are her children RoseMarie (Dale Rothenburger),their children, Tyler and Travis (Lindsy Snell); Roger (Val), their children Nicole Spencer (Jay), Christine Croft (Daryl), Brent (Stephanie); Ginette (Ken Kasahoff), Jeridee Genest (Louis), Nazlyn Wiens (Chad Hayes), Chandin Wiens (Lorianna Goodman), Tadrik Wiens; 8 great-grandchildren; her step-children Lorraine Forseille (Paul), Mariette (Allen Oberg), Colin (Lisa Watts), Norman, Claude; Al Tournier (Roberta), Ceal (Sheldon Windjack), Luke (Michele), Rita, Leo (Kim) and Denis Tournier (Geraldine) Mark (Julie), Denise Tournier; 10 step grand-children, 15 step great-grandchildren and 8 step great-great grandchildren; her sister Cécile Cousin and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by Ovide’s children, Marilyn Fleming (Niel Craigei), Julie (Wally Fandrich), Della (Ron Minielly), Donald (Karen), Auguste (Glenda), Robert, Rupert, André (Aggie), Janice Perrin; 17 step-grandchildren; seven step-great grandchildren.

Prayer service will be held on Monday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at River Park Memorial Chapel, Prince Albert. Sister Renée Buliard will officiate. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Duck Lake on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. by Very Reverend Maurice Fiolleau, Vicar General. Interment will take place in the Duck Lake Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Carla Jesso, Funeral Director.

 

• Date : 2014-02-05 06:00:00