BELLAVANCE: In loving memory of Magaret Jean Bellavance who was born on 25 July, 1937 and passed away peacefully at her home on 23 December 2012. Jeanie is survived by her loving husband of 55 years Ghislain (Gil), sons Mark and Charles, daughter Anne-Marie (Andrew) Benson; grandchildren Genevieve, Devon, Andre, PhilIppe (Ashley), Aaron, Allyn, Jaime(Donovan), Matthew, Jeffrey, Shauna; great grandchildren, Jacob, Reilly, Georgia and Dominic. She is also survived by her brother Sidney Waters, sister Emily Maundrell, brother in law Gilbert Bellavance, sisters in law Vi Waters and Sylvianne Whittaker, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Alan and Mary Waters.Jean was educated at Prongua and NBCI in North Battleford. She met her husband when she was 13 and this was the beginning of a lifelong love story. When he attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, B.C., she followed him to the coast and they eloped on 11 May 1957 after his graduation. She then followed her husband to Valcartier, Quebec and then on to Germany where their son Mark was born in April 1958, then Charles in August 1959. The family returned to Canada, to Valcartier, then to Quebec City and Ste. Foy where Anne-Marie was born. They went through many moves following Gil's military career, usually relocating to North Battleford when service took him to overseas operations for longer periods. She also managed to visit him when his tours of service ended, and holiday in faraway places in the Far East and the Middle East. They eventually settled on an acreage in Prongua for several years, until they finally moved to town for the last year of her life due to her illness. Jeanie was a very honest, straightforward woman; her husband and family were always her top priority. She was an excellent cook, and an even better seamstress, using her skills to the benefit of family and friends. She loved gardening, particularly her flowers. As well her love of animals and birds kept her busy, working and volunteering for the Humane Society for many years. There was always a stray cat or dog recuperating in Jeanie's menagerie. In the words of her grandson' "Grandma taught us to give a tremendous amount of love, to love people and nature, to be independent but to be brave through our independence. She loved us by reminding us of who it was that she thought we should be."The Vigil of Prayer was held on Thursday 27 December at St. Andre Church presided by Jean Pawlus. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday 28 December at Notre Dame Church with Father Gerard Legaspi, celebrant. The music ministry was beautifully sung by Lisa Hornung, accompanied by John Chipak, and soloist Bob McKay. Grandson Matthew Benson shared memories of Grandma. Pallbearers were her grandsons, cross-bearer great-grandson Jacob Slater, granddaughters arranged pall and flowers. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Battlefords Funeral Service. The family wants to thank Notre Dame CWL for the luncheon arrangements and very special thanks to all family and friends for their support. Thanks also to Palliative Home Care and Dr. Holzhausen and staff for their care of Jeanie during her last illness. _____________________________________________________
