Mrs. Leona Esquirol passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the age of 88 years. A Prayer service was held on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. also at Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Cuong Luong as Celebrant. Interment took place at the Jackfish Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Leona Esquirol may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301 - 2550 12th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1. Condolences for the family may be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium. Leona is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Sue (Hugh) McIvor, children: Craig (Kris) Klassen, their children: Gabrielle, Grace, Shasta and Jami; Jos茅 Pruden (Jes Kohut), and Slade; Matthew (Lori) Pruden, their children: Zenya and Cash; Stefan Pruden, his children: Sheona and Alesiah: Louise (Grant) Esquirol Gordon: Julie (Bob) Tokar, children: Trevor Tokar; Shawn Tokar (Tegan Holinaty), children: Blake, Jonathan and Trinity: Jacquie Esquirol: Paul Esquirol: Roland (Tracy) Esquirol, their children: Melanie (Ryan) Reid, their children Hailey and Asher; Devin Esquirol; Lindsay (Danny) Woodrow, their child: Declan: Joseph (Jaki) Esquirol, their children: Benjamin, Morgan, Noah and Dominique: Brenda Esquirol, her children Garrett and Reid sister in law: Emilienne (Don) Mighton: sisters: Jeanne Weinzierl, Noela (Marcel) Cossette, Beatrice Nordstrom, and many more family, friends and numerous nieces and nephews. Leona was predeceased by her husband Denis Esquirol; parents Alberta and Arthur B茅cotte; parents in law Henri and Albanie Esquirol; son Mich Esquirol; sister Dorothy B茅cotte; sister in law Henriette (Charles) Bru; brother in law Lawrence Nordstrom; son in law Wayne Pruden; cousins and best friends Estelle and Elie Esquirol. Memories of Leona as shared by granddaughters Melanie Reid and Jos茅 Pruden. Leona Albina Becotte was born on April 22, 1927 in Richard Saskatchewan to Arthur and Alberta Becotte. She was the oldest of five daughters, Leona, Dorothy, Jeanne, Noela, and Beatrice. As the eldest of five children the role of nurturer and mother figure started early for Leona. At a young age she was making meals for her younger sisters and helping them get ready for school. Although in the 30s farming struggled, Leona and the family always had a good outlook. Her and her sisters laughed, played cards, and generally enjoyed life. This continued well into the rest of their lives. Leona completed school in 1947 and went on to Saskatoon to teachers college to follow in her mother鈥檚 footsteps. It was during this time that Leona met her future husband, Denis Esquirol. Denis once said that when he saw Leona graduate on stage and he 鈥渢omb茅 en amour鈥� or 鈥渇ell in love鈥�. During the time Denis courted Leona, she began her first teaching job at Lavigne School, across from Denis鈥檚 parents鈥� home. She taught there for one year and then on Nov. 5th 1949 married Denis. Soon after, they started their family of eight which was one of most important roles in her life as a mother and wife. Not only did Leona raise eight children, she also took in three foster children. It might be safe to say that she loved children. Leona also enjoyed laughter of 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren with the 16th on its way. Leona loved children but also loved and care for her husband Denis. The love between them was strong and patient. Leona supported Denis鈥檚 passion for farming. She ran the household, had food on the table, took care of the chickens, planted the garden, milled her own flour and baked loads of bread. Along with running the farm and family Leona and Denis still found time to travel together. After decades on the farm, life transitioned to North Battleford. The transition was made smooth because she was only blocks away from Notre Dame Parish and she once again became involved in all the church activities. She also continued her love of community by volunteering in the hospital and Villa Pascal. She still got pleasure from playing the organ. Although she had to downsize her garden she continued to enjoy it. She also took pleasure in taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As Leona moved into the later years of her life, Alzheimer鈥檚 became more prominent. In 2010 she moved into the Villa Pascal; how fitting after all those years of volunteering there and now she could enjoy some of her hard work. Then in 2013 Leona moved into Harwood Manor to be reunited with the love of her life. Denis and Leona walked hand in hand around the hallways of Harwood Manor like young teenagers in love. Although Alzheimer鈥檚 affects your memory as it did with Leona, the core of who she was remained the same. She was always happy to have company. Her face lit up when you entered her room. Her infectious smile touched everyone, including all her caregivers at Harwood Manor and Villa Pascal. She was content just having people around. Leona had many traits that made her the woman she was. She had a quiet demeanor about her, helping out when she was needed and being a support without being overbearing. She did all the volunteering and community work without asking or expecting any recognition for it. She had a strong faith that carried her through tough times and many losses, the loss of her son-in law Wayne in 1995, her youngest son, Mich in 2006, her husband in 2014 and many others that were important to her. She was a teacher all her life, from the school room, to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She never spoke a bad word about anyone and always stood up for her family. Leona was our families 鈥渦nsung hero鈥�. With her heart of gold, that infectious smile, her kind personality and a hug that meant more than words. These traits and values of hers have already been passed on to all her family and they will continue to honor her by sharing them with their children: Thus the spirit of Leona lives on.
