LUCILLE PROVOST

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LUCILLE PROVOST
January 7, 1926 - November 4, 2020

After a long and happy life, Lucille peacefully passed on November 4, 2020.
She was predeceased by her husband, René, of 47 years, her eldest son Bob, her parents, Alphonsine and Luc Campeau, her sisters, Simone Lagacé (Marcel) and Madeleine Denysuik (Bill), her brothers, Ted Campeau (Aline), Joe and Charlie. She is survived by her daughters, Louise (Pierre) and Anita (RJ), her sons Chuck (Phyllis) and Jean (Sharon), her son-in-law Erhard Kasper (Eva), her daughter-in-law Christine Niziol, her grandchildren, Peter Kasper (Shoal), Erika Kasper (Matt) and Elyse Blennerhassett, step-grandsons, Chris Landry, Raymond Aquin and Rhéal Aquin (Kristal), step-granddaughter Lise Brown (DJ), great-granddaughter Seneca, sister Lorraine Mysak (John), brother Aurèle Campeau (Louise), sister-in-law Irène Campeau, and many nieces and nephews.
This portrait of Lucille, titled "Let the Sun Shine In", was painted by her daughter Louise. It depicts her passion for life while baking bread from wheat that she ground herself even well into her 80s. Her cinnamon buns and her tourtières were always devoured with gusto. Even with five kids, she managed to be quite entrepreneurial, selling encyclopedias and Beauty Counsellor cosmetics, being a substitute teacher and later working at Kmart where at Halloween she would wear a "I'm a K-martyr" costume, typical of her sense of humour. In 1967, as President of "La Ligue des Femmes Catholiques," she edited "The Best Yet", a recipe book that sold out very quickly. Her sewing skills, with her various machines, were legendary. She created an array of beautiful garments, curtains, elaborate costumes for Halloween and many other items including the apron in her portrait. She was a perfectionist, and also a great teacher.
An engaged traveller, she really enjoyed her numerous family trips to Montréal, Toronto, LA, Phoenix, Mexico, Italy, Ireland, New York, Nova Scotia, Vancouver and Alaska. Her trip to London and Paris with René was certainly a highlight, especially meeting René's fellow Second World War pilots of the 47th squadron. And who knew she was so athletic and competitive? On her 70th birthday, she climbed to the top of Piestewa Peak, one of the highest mountains in the Phoenix area. She then signed up for a 5K race and came in first in the over 65 group, even though she was in her 70s! Lucille was also an avid reader and belonged to a French book club, "Les Lunatiques Littéraires" for about 20 years. She loved doing the Jumble and the daily cryptoquote. She was the queen of quotes, always being sure to put a positive spin on things. When we would take her out for a walk, she would say, "Not a cloud in the sky, nothing but blue skies. Just like my life."
In her later years, she would go on what she called her "grateful" walks and enjoy greeting everyone with a smile. When she moved to Brightwater Assisted Living, one of the residents said, "Your mother is the most beautiful person in this complex. She's beautiful inside and out." All of the aides loved her, and she was very thankful for their compassionate care. Mom had a great sense of humour, and radiated a simple yet profound joy of being. We all felt her cheerful presence and her zest for life. She was grateful, kind and generous. She taught us to ward off negativity and "to let the sun shine in". Mom made us feel loved unconditionally, just the way we were - and we felt that we were in the presence of an angel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a kind greeting and a nice smile when seeing others, including strangers, and think of Lucille when you do so.
If you wish, a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation in Lucille's name would also be appreciated (terryfox.org) (or contact chuckprovost@telus.net).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2020