GREGOIRE , Therese Josephine: Loving wife, committed/strong Mom, devoted Grandma, Great-Grandma, supportive sister, respected aunt and true friend left this earth on July 9th, 2014 at North Battleford, SK., peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Therese is lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Louise & Bernard Noble, Saskatoon, SK., family. Trevor Schiller (fiancé, Amy Price), Larry (Michelle) Noble: Madison & Liam, Natalee (Ian) Cook; Avry & Ella; Emile & Gillian Gregoire, Hamlin District, SK., family; Rory (Jenna), Ashley & Kyle Gregoire, Jim Rentz, Jerry (Heather) Rentz;Bryanna, Ryley & Ashlyn; Denis & Marlene Gregoire, North Battleford, SK., family: Blair (Janel) their daughter Lexi; Krysta, Sheldon & Brandon Gregoire; Gail's family: Omer Baillargeon (Perla), Saskatoon, SK.,Jeanelle, Justin & Stefan Baillargeon; sister Antoinette Duhaime, Regina, SK.; sisters-in-law: Germaine Nachtegaele and Marie Liebaert of North Battleford, SK.; brother-in-law, Paul (Madeleine) Gregoire, North Battleford, SK.; nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Willie & Aurore Hebert; husband, Louis Joseph Gregoire; daughters Grace (in infancy) and Gail Baillargeon; brother, Jerry Hebert; sisters: Claire Lavoie and Bernadette Sanders; numerous brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law Therese Josephine Hebert was born in North Battleford on April 14, 1922. She and her family of 3 sisters; Claire, Bernadette, Antoinette and brother Gerry were raised on a farm just a few miles north of North Battleford. Every day Therese and her siblings would walk to Notre Dame school in the spring, summer and fall, then be driven by horse and heated cutter in the winter. She loved the great outdoors and her after-school routine was to go get the cows home for milking. She did this by putting on some oats in her pocket and her dutiful horse Babe would enjoy the treat and then ride her back to the farmyard. This same farmyard has survived a tornado and continues to be nurtured by a third generation Hebert - Raymond and his wife Linda. During her early years she leant a helping hand by babysitting Adele while her sister Claire taught school in Highgate. My mother Antoinette has fond memories of growing up with her older sister Therese, recalling how particular she was to only wash her exact half of the kitchen floor. Therese met Louis in 1941 at a school dance at Prince, and that meeting would be the launch of a life -long enjoyment of dancing. They quickly knew they were meant for each other and wedding bells rang on November 18, 1943. Their honeymoon was a trip to Prince Albert, leaving much later than planned after cleaning up a wedding night prank of a houseful of feathers. To this day, no one has divulged the culprits! Therese was blessed with 67 years of marriage to Louis, grateful to celebrate her wedding anniversary two days before his passing November 20, 2010. Therese farmed alongside Louis, tackling any job she encountered with her usual positive attitude. She often talked of her canary that would sing his heart out warning her that the baby in the house was crying so she'd leave her milking to tend to her family. Her neighbour Bill knew it was milking time as he could hear her calling the cows. I'm sure one their nieces Sylvia could attest to that as she would go stay with Therese while Louis would be away haying. She was her children's best teacher. Her eldest Louise learned to be a fabulous cook and baker by being given the freedom to learn on her own. Emile her second and Denis her third child learned not to smoke when their Mom caught them red-handed and made them eat Grandpa's homemade cigarettes. To this day they thank her for never wanting to smoke! Her youngest Gail learned to make her own after-school snack (Campbell's Tomato Soup) because often her mom was out helping her dad. From her Mom Gail learned to be independent and confident in anything she undertook. We know in her heart she cuddled her stillborn twin daughter Grace and taught her children by example how to be strong when one of them was chosen to be the first angel. Therese was a terrific gardener and lovingly tended to a rose bush given to her by brother-in-law Don Sanders. This bush still gave her joy when she could smell the latest blossoms Emile brought to her just a few weeks ago. In her early years, Therese was an accomplished pitcher, often pulling her team out of difficulties. As her children grew, she became her family's favourite cheerleader as her boys played baseball and then as the grandchildren came along, they too played baseball and excelled in hockey. I'm sure she used the same volume as calling the cows home because the grandkids could hear her over the rest. Therese was quiet/behind the scenes/helper when her children were showing their cattle, helping them achieve the thrill of Grand Champion Steers in 4H. Her ability to wave the hair and braid the tails of the steers gave them the fluffiest/puffiest tails in the ring! Then, with her handle "Little Red Hen" she became quite adept at communicating with two-way radio. Her volunteer duties included McMillan Homemakers Club, the CWL and choir at Notre Dame & St. Joseph's Churches. Aunty gave her children the rosary every day. The boys remember kneeling on the hard bare kitchen floor for morning prayer each day before heading out to the yard. All the years of their marriage Therese and Louis would start their day with a prayer and they never waivered from that true testimony of their faith. Music and dancing were an important part of Therese's life; she would tap dance for her children while Louis would play the harmonica. Dancing was her exercising workout, her stress reliever and lifted her spirits. Uncle Louis and Aunty Therese were model dance partners, belonging to a dance club that entertained people from the Battlefords and surrounding area. Family meant everything to Therese. Meals in the field with fresh garden produce, special Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter family gathering with homemade soup, bread, cookies and tortiere. Her children would cherish the nightly phone calls with that ever present cheery voice. The love and attention given so effortlessly to the grandchildren came back to Aunty as each one phoned and visited her in her last days. Each one of you know you were loved from the bottom of her heart. Though her eyesight dimmed, her eyes would still light up and in turn light up the life of the person she talked to. That little face would come right up and although she couldn't see you, she would bask in the pleasure of your familiar voice, so happy that you stopped to talk. I heard their family cherished their visits to our cabin at Jackfish Lake and I loved going to their farm. The flowers, the garden, the friendly greeting was always a treat to stop in on our way when Mom and I would go to the lake. Therese was always there to lend a helping hand, encouraging word, a tower of strength with a tender heart. Gail put into words how all the family felt: "Mom, there is no one to phone who can understand like you and you always make things seem so easy. Gee Mom thanks for all your help and patience." Saying goodbye to a special lady is difficult to do. You will never be forgotten, we will always cherish and love you and know you are not far away, watching from the heavens. We thank God for choosing you to be our mom, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunty, and friend, Bon voyage, je t'aime beaucoup! Aunty and Uncle are now dancing in the heavens, hugging their departed relatives and looking them straight in the eyes, with eyes that can see. Vigil Of Prayer was held Monday, July 14, 2014 with Presider, Fr. Nestor Gregoire O.M.I.; followed by the Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, July15th, 2014.,both Services from St. Joseph Calasanctius Roman Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK.. The Celebrant was Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I. with Co-Celebrant Father Nestor Gregoire O.M.I.. The Cross Bearer was Brandon Gregoire and Eulogist Diane Brooks. Liturgy of the Word was given by Ashley Gregoire - Ecclesiastes 3: 1-11 and Krysta Gregoire - Colossians 3:1-4. The Responsorial Psalm was Psalm 23 read by Jeanelle Baillargeon. The Gospel Reading was Salt & Light Mt. 5: 13-16. Prayer of the Faithful was led by Justin Baillargeon. Offertory Gifts was presented by Blair, Janel and Lexi Gregoire. Music Ministry: Vigil of Prayer : Pianist - Maureen Gerein; Piano Solo, "Ave Maria" by Jenna Gregoire guitar/vocal solo, "Welcome Home" by Paul Fransoo; Mass of Christian Burial: Pianist - Tammy Iverson and St. Joseph Faith Community Choir - Judy Fransoo, Director. The Honour Guard was formed by St. Joseph Catholic Women League. The Pallbearers were Trevor Schiller, Blair Gregoire, Rory Gregoire, Justin Baillargeon, Stefan Baillargeon, Kyle Gregoire, Sheldon Gregoire and Brandon Gregoire, The family request that the tributes to their mother's memory be made to: Society of The Little Flower - The Monastery Of Mount Carmel - 7021 Stanley Ave., Niagara Falls, ON., L2G 7B7; Villa Pascal - 1301-113th St., North Battleford, SK., S9A 3K1; or at the Donor's choice. Rite of Committal took place at the Catholic extension, City Cemetery, North Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. Card Of Thanks The family of the late Therese Gregoire wish to express sincere appreciation for those many acts of kindness, messages of sympathy, prayers and masses during the loss of our Mom. Our heartfelt thanks to Bob MacKay and staff at Battlefords Funeral Service, caring staff at Villa Pascal, Dr. James Johnson and Home Care workers for their help and kindness. A big thank you to everyone who sent flowers, food, and gave companionship to us during this difficult time. A special thank you to the St. Joseph CWL for lunch after the funeral mass. Having the CWL honour Mom was truly a blessing. Thanks to the St. Joseph Faith Community Choir, Tammy Iverson and Maureen Gerein for the music ministry. Jenna Gregoire and Paul Fransoo, a big thank you for your music and song at prayers. To have two nephews Archbishop Emeritus Sylvan Lavoie OMI and Father Nestor Gregoire OMI celebrate the funeral mass was God sent. A very Big thank you to Rory and Ashley Gregoire for the power point presentation of gramma's life. Diane Brooks you did a fantastic job delivering Mom's eulogy. She would have been smiling. Louise, Emile, Denis and families. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
