Tribute Notifications
Click below if you would like to be notified when a new tribute is posted.
Cecile Godin
December 10, 1922 - August 14, 2019
Tribute
Cecile Marie Eugenie – Leguerrier/Thomas/Godin
December 10, 1922 – August 14, 2019
Cecile is survived by her three children and their spouses: Shirley (Michael) Taylor, Maurice (Shirl) Godin and Richard (Marcelle) Godin. She also leaves behind her 5 Grandchildren and their spouses: Denise (Tony) Nardi, Kevin (Cheriena) Taylor, Michelle (Matthew) Weisbeck, Allen and Melisa (Trevor) Ritz as well as her 7 Great-Grandchildren: Nicholas, Ashley, Tianna, Joey, Lucas, Raelynn and Carson.
Cecile is survived by her 3 sisters Yvette Rivard, Jeannette Sebastien and Lise (Bert) Pigeon and one brother George (Lorna) Leguerrier and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents George and Julie-Anna Leguerrier, her husband’s Rusty and Joe, her 4 sisters Lucienne Alberts, Madeleine Thoreson, Laurette (Ken) Moffat and Claire Beattie and her 3 brothers Paul, Lucien, Maurice (Margaret) and Roger.
We will be holding a funeral mass for Cecile Godin on Tuesday, September 17th 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Parish in Vancouver, BC (3778 West 28th Ave). Following the service, there will be a tea in the Jesuit Room at the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to BC Cancer Agency or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Cecile’s History
Cecile’s Father “George Leguerrier” was born in Quebec. George came west to Bonnyville, Alberta with his brother Evariste in 1919 from Montreal. They worked for their Uncle EvaristeDubord at his sawmill at Muriel Lake for one year. In 1920 the brothers returned to Montreal where they were married in a double wedding on July 15, 1920. George married Julie-Anna Deveault (Cecile’s mother) and Evarist married Yvonne Gladu.
They brought their wives back to Bonnyville and settled 3 ½ miles east of the Dubord farm where the first 3 children were born. In the winter of 1921-1922, George went logging on the Cold Lake Indian Reserve to cut enough logs to build a log house on their newly acquired homestead 9 ½ miles east of Bonnyville. In the spring of 1922, they went back to the Dubord farm and worked in the sawmill until 1924. Then they moved to their log house on their new homestead.
Cecile was one of 13 children born to George and Julie-Anna Leguerrier between 1921-1941. She was the second eldest. All her children were born at home and delivered by Grandma Michaud, except for the oldest (Paul) who was born at St. Louis Hospital in Bonnyville and the youngest (Lisa) who was born in Montreal.
Cecile was born on the Dubord farm in Durlingville. It was Dec. 10, 1022 and a blizzard was blowing. Word was sent to Grandma Michaud to come and deliver the baby. Grandpa Michaud hitched up the horse to the sleigh and started out. They lost their way and when they finally arrived, the baby was born, delivered by Grandma Leguerrier. Grandpa Michaud came in to see Julie Anna (Cecile’s mother) and he shook his finger at her and said: “When I die, I’m going to come and pull your toes for making me come out in such a blizzard.” Julie-Anna never forgot that and November 10, 1937 (15 years later) when he passed away, she would not go to his funeral.
Cecile was baptized on December 15,1922. Godparents were Aunt Eugenie and Uncle Remi.
George and Family farmed until 1939. The Second World War broke out and George went to Montreal to work in an ammunition plant for one year. He came back and two years later he went to work at Norman Wells N.W.T. for one year.
In the meantime, Cecile went to work in Montreal at Noorduyn Aviation Ltd. with her two sisters (Lucienne and Madeleine) in the early 1940’s. Cecile would have been in her early 20’s. Cecile then moved west and worked at Saint Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster until 1945.
George sold the farm in 1948 and bought the Bonnyville Bakery. They sold the bakery in 1950 and went to BC to join their children. Paul, (their eldest) was the only one who remained on a farm in Alberta to raise his family.
Cecile married Rosaire (Rusty) Thomas at age 26 on August 6, 1949 in New Westminster. Rusty was born in New Brunswick, raised in Montreal and was a sheet metal worker.
Cecile and Rusty purchased a home on 6th Street New Westminster in 1949 where she set up a sewing shop there and she was a parishioner at Saint Peter’s church. They never had any children. Cecile began work as a BC Tel telephone operator in 1953. She always worked the nightshift.
Cecile and Rusty sold her home on 6th Street New Westminster and bought her home on Strand Ave, New Westminster in 1957. Rusty passed away of cancer in 1962.
Cecile re-married Joseph Godin at age 42 on July 17th, 1965 (Joseph was a widower who lost his wife to a brain tumor at age 37 in 1964). He was left with 3 children: Shirley (age 9), Maurice (age 7) and Richard (age3). Joseph was also born in New Brunswick, but left home for BC as a very young man.
When they were married, Joseph worked for Fraser River Log sorting as a Log sorter boat operator. Cecile became an instant mother to three children. She still continued working night shift as a telephone operator and helped raise a young family.
They all became parishioners at St. Michael’s because that is where all three children went to school. Cecile was their stepmother but they were always raised and loved by her as her very own children. Their parents always worked hard to put them through Catholic school.
Cecile and Joseph purchased waterfront property at Bosk Lake in 1969. The family cabin was enjoyed by many for many years. Gatherings by children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends would meet for camping, fishing, hunting, campfires, sing a longs, cooking on woodstoves, tobogganing, card games, outdoor hikes, swimming, outdoor wildlife and so much more. But most of all a place where all family and friends could be together to laugh and have fun. So many memories were made at Bosk Lake.
Cecile and Joseph were also foster parents for Frances Greer and Catherine Shields approx. 1969-1974.
Cecile retired from BC Tell June 25, 1978 at age 55. She had worked for 25 years. Joseph retired from Fraser River Log Sorting Co. Ltd July 1, 1982 at age 60.
In 1984 they sold their home on Strand Ave, New Westminster and bought a trailer in Blaine, Washington and a 24-foot boat. When they weren’t in Birch Bay enjoying the sunshine and fishing, they were staying with their children and their families or spending time at their cabin at Bosk Lake. They also did a lot of travelling and visited many places. They made numerous visits to another one of their favorite places, “Hawaii”.
They always did their hunting trips and vacations trips with Cecile and Joseph’s siblings and their families. They were always big supporters and cheerleaders for all their grandchildren’s activities. Cecile also spent most of her time sewing for her grandchildren, nieces and nephew’s children and a never-endingamount of wedding dresses she sewed.
Cecile and Joseph (along with their three children, their spouses and grandchildren born at that time) went to Hawaii January, 1990 for a family vacation.
In July 1990 Cecile and Joseph celebrated their 25th Anniversary and surprise party with family and friends. So many more memories made!
Cecile then lost her second husband to cancer too. Joseph passed away on April 18, 1991 at age 68. Cecile lived on to enjoy all her great-grandchildren both that her husband never had the chance to meet.
Cecile sold her trailer in Blaine 1998 and moved in with her daughter, Shirley and lived with her for 15 years until she had her stroke in June 2013.
She was then placed at New Vista Care home in Burnaby until there was an opening at Buchannan Lodge Care Home, New Westminster on May 5, 2015, two years later. It is such a beautiful care home. It is right in the middle where her home was on Strand Ave and where her son Maurice now lives (in the old BC pen site) and on the other side where her daughter Shirley lived near St. Michael’s Parish. Back to the original Family Grounds. The family would like to thank the staff for the wonderful care given to Cecile during this time.
Cecile was always caring, eager to help others, perfectionist, hardworking, sense of humor, loved to tease, strong willed, opinionated, kindhearted and feisty. She loved to be surrounded by family and friends.
She grew up on a farm with four brothers and seven sisters. They were a very united family, grew up with very little and always enjoyed the little things in life. She lived life to the fullest.
Cecile was never a real good sleeper. I think it was the many years of working night shift and raising a family. She was always busy. Her home was always a gathering place for family and friends. She was the core of the family for reunions and get togethers.
She used to say that the last thing she would think about before falling asleep was thanking the good Lord for letting her live one more day.Cecile was a devoted Catholic. She attended church on a regular basis and made sure her children received all their sacraments.
Cecile was always happy just living life day to day. Always busy, could never sit still. If she was sitting still, you would find her sewing, knitting or some kind of craftwork. To fall asleep at night, she would read a book. She loved to rock in her rocking chair, especially with Joseph at her cabin.
Cecile was always on the phone talking and keeping in touch with her family and friends near and far. I think that was part of her being a telephone system operator for 25 years. Cecile loved to cook and entertain. She made the best bread, cinnamon buns and fudge on her old wooden stove at their cabin.
She will be missed by all.
Condolences
Send a condolence, light a candle and/or share a memory, click "Send Condolence". Once your message has been approved by the moderator it will be posted to the website.
From: Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre
Bakerview Community Crematorium & Celebration Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Jeannette Sebastien
Relation: She was m.y sister
I enjoyed the obituary of Cecile and all the information in it I enjoyed all the time I spent with her.
From: Jeanine Willsher
Relation: Auntie Cecile was my aunt
I will always remember Auntie Cecile. She was like a second mother to me. She always welcomed me to stay overnight with Shirley and she made my beautiful wedding dress.
From: Debbie & Gary Price
Relation: Cecile was my beautiful Auntie
We are so sorry for your loss, Auntie was such a beautiful person, full of spirit and such a caring person to all who knew her. Auntie Cecile will live on in all of our hearts.
From: Kerry Ernst
Relation: Niece
We will remember Auntie Cecil as loving and caring. Always had her door open for family and friends. Always smiling. She will always be remembered and loved. Sorry for your loss to all the family and friends.
Love Kerry and John Ernst
From: Julie Niessen (Leguerrier)
Relation: My Aunt
Auntie Cecile was a huge part of so many lives, She was mother hen to all 60ish nieces and nephews. She made outfits when we were born until we were coming faster than she could crochet and she could no longer keep up. ( I don’t think I got anything, lol) She lovingly made the wedding dresses for a lot of the nieces and I remember her always baking cinnamon buns at the cabin. When going to the cabin we wouldn’t let Auntie do anything except bake the buns. lol A lot of my special memories growing up included Auntie Cecile. I loved her and will miss her so much. My condolences to the family.
From: Roger Albert
Relation: Nephew
As Lucienne Albert’s oldest son, I got a lot of attention in the family or 15 with 11 girls! Auntie Cecile often visited us on Alderson Avenue when we were growing up. I remember that she was sometimes almost bleary-eyed from working the night shift as a telephone operator yet she never complained of being tired. I couldn’t believe how she could do it: work all night and still go out during the day. She used to tease us kids, but always in a light-hearted way. I never saw her angry or utter un unkind word to anyone. I remember very clearly one of the very last time Cecile came to visit mom at The Dufferin, the care home where mom lived, and how she was so emotional and hugged and kissed mom. Mom didn’t know what was going on, having had dementia for years, but Cecile didn’t care. She just heaped love on my mother and talked with the rest of us there for some time. I loved Cecile. Still do. Rest in peace, dear Auntie Cecile.
From: Cheryl Huber
Relation: Friend of her sister Claire Beattie's family
Sorry to hear of Cecile’s passing. Such a wonderful lady. I too hold fond memories of her. My thoughts are with the family.
From: glenda diane mancinelli
Relation: friend
Cecile was as warm and as friendly person as you could find. She always had a smile and was ready to talk to you. She cared for her family with all of her heart and if you were lucky enough she added you to her list of family. Over the years I watched as she faithfully went to all the kids games to cheer them on and came upstairs to play games with everyone at Mike and Shirleys home. She was forever sewing or crotcheing up a storm for lucky family members I will always remember her smiles and laughter ( especially after a bit of wine) and how she danced at Ken and Caroles wedding and sang in the back seat of the car as i drove her to the hotel au revoire mes aimes au revoire, so good bye my dear , enjoy heaven. love to all your family steve and glenda
From: Carmen Leguerrier
Relation: I am Antie Cecile's neice
My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
Date & Time:
September 17, 2019
Beginning at 7:00pm
Location:
Immaculate Conception Parish
3778 W 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada
We will be holding a funeral mass for Cecile Godin on Tuesday, September 17th 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Parish in Vancouver, BC (3778 West 28th Ave). Following the service, there will be a tea in the Jesuit Room at the parish hall.
3778 W 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to BC Cancer Agency or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Thank You Notice
Send Flowers
Magnolias on Main
33253 1st Ave. Mission, BC V2V 1G6
(604)826-1110
http://www.magnoliasonmainflowers.com
All Tymes Florist
14567 – 72 Avenue, Surrey B.C.
604-596-6766
http://www.alltymesflorist.ca
Floral Symphony
Serving the entire lower mainland
778-558-0826
http://www.afloralsymphony.com
Donate In Memory
Send Condolence - For Cecile Godin
Use the form below to send a Condolence, light a memorial candle and/or share a personal memory.