Bella Gamache

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Bella Gamache on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at the age of 90 years.
Bella was born on June 23, 1929 in Estevan, SK, the 3rd of 12 children born to Eugène and Claire Gingras (née Marcotte).  As a young child, Bella moved with her family from Torquay, SK to Laurier, MB where she received her education. Bella met Roméo Gamache and following their courtship they were married in Laurier on October 19, 1948.  Together, they began farming on the Gamache Family Farm 3 miles northeast of Laurier where they raised their family of 4 children Marie-Paule, Gérald, Ronald and Viviane.   
Bella worked side by side with her husband, Roméo, on the family farm.  She worked for a time as a school bus driver and her kind and generous nature often led her to help out family and friends when they needed a hand.  Bella’s love for children led her to work as a foster parent for the Province of Manitoba for a number of years. 
In 1975, Bella began working as a dietary aide at the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home, driving in from the farm every day.  In 1978, Bella moved to Ste. Rose du Lac to her new home on 5th Ave East just two doors down from her sister Aurore. This was a blessing for her, and coffee time visits were frequent and full of love and laughter. Mémère then continued her employment for 15 years at the Gendreau Home until her retirement in 1990. 
On March 25, 2012, Mémère suffered a massive stroke which left her with partial paralysis and an inability to speak.  She moved into the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home where she resided until her passing.  Life was not the same for her, but she always had a wave and a gentle smile for all who came to see her. Even with all of her trials in life Mémère had such a strong faith in God that would help carry her through the loss of her husband, Roméo, in 1973, her son, Ronald, in 1989 and later in life after her stroke as she came to accept her challenges and become a stronger and more resilient woman in the process.
Bella was predeceased by her husband Roméo, her son Ronald, her son-in-law Gordon, her sisters Géraldine Delaurier, Irène Bouchard, Aline Courcelles and Rita and her husband Léon Lecomte as well as her brothers Omer and his wife Thérèse, Rémi and wife Huguette, Hervé and Roger Gingras along with brother-in-law Jean Pinette and other extended family members.  
She leaves to mourn her passing and cherish many fond memories; her children; daughter Marie-Paule and husband Wilfred Bretecher of Eddystone, son Gérald Gamache of Ste. Rose du Lac, daughter Viviane and husband Cliff Bjorklund of Winnipeg, her daughter-in-law Paulette and husband Abe Bergen of Ste. Rose du Lac, her grandchildren Michelle and husband Ryan Raffray and their children Émilie & Travis, Matthieu, Isabelle, Mireille and Sarah of Ste. Rose du Lac,  Donald and wife Tracy Gamache and their children Joshua and Lucas of Brandon, Eric and wife Stephanie Verhaeghe and their children Connor, Autumn, Kieran, Lochlan, Samuel and Oakley of Ste. Amélie, Dominic and wife Melanie and their children Corbin and Reese of Dauphin, Lyle Fortin and his son Addison of Winnipeg, Justin Gamache of Dauphin and Kyla Yakimishyn of Ste. Rose du Lac, her sisters Aurore Pinette of Ste. Rose du Lac, Yvonne Bouchard of Dauphin, Lucille and husband Robert Legall of Ste. Rose du Lac, her sisters-in-law Gloria Gingras, Claudette Gingras, her brothers-in-law René Courcelles and Frank Delaurier along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and many friends. Throughout her years at the PCH, Mémère was well cared for and treated like family by the staff. We would like to thank each and every one of them for their kindness and compassion shown to her. We have heard from many staff members saying that her presence will be deeply missed.   A very special thanks goes to ma tante Lucille for being Mémère’s voice and always looking out for her at the PCH. Merci beaucoup pour avoir été si dévoué envers le soin de ta grande sœur, nous l’apprécions énormément.  
Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2019 at 2:00 pm from Notre Dame des Victoires Roman Catholic Church in Laurier, MB.  Fr. Patrick Neufeld celebrated the mass with interment following in the Laurier Cemetery.  
Should friends so desire, donations may be made to the Activities Department at the Dr. Gendreau Personal Care Home, Box 420, Ste. Rose du Lac, MB, R0L 1S0.  

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