CLAUDETTE LAGIMODIERE

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CLAUDETTE LAGIMODIERE

Claudette Yvonne Marie Lagimodière was born in Winnipeg on August 29, 1936, during a record-breaking, prairie heat wave. She grew up in Lorette, as the youngest of seven children born to Alfred and Hester (nee Arbuthnot) Lagimodière, and moved to St. Vital in the 1950s. She was the last surviving sibling to Bill, Marguerite (Betker), Donald, Shirley Mae, Norman and Jimmy.



She took great pride in her family, and her heritage as a descendent of Jean-Baptiste Lagimodière and as a member of the Arbuthnot clan. She wore the blue and green plaid of the Arbuthnot tartan as easily as she spoke French, and often did both at the same time.



Her first job after high school was at New York Life. In her 30s she went to the University of Manitoba and graduated with a BFA. Miss Lagimodière taught at St. Boniface Diocesan High School long enough to make an impression on a graduating class of young Winnipeggers, many of whom would stop her to say hello and ask about her cherry red Mustang decades after they graduated.



But she left teaching because she found her dream job at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. There, she influenced generations of Winnipeggers in the Education Department (later Interpretive Services). As the Director of Interpretive Services, she opened up the gallery's doors to school children, teenagers and all Winnipeggers, by presenting engaging programs, events and tours. She believed art was for all and all were artists, and her work ensured the gallery, and the art and activities within it, were accessible to everyone.



As a visual artist her work was sublime. She painted her loved ones, featuring them in simple moments, capturing their essence as only someone who loved them dearly could do. Her pieces are prized possessions for anyone lucky enough to have one of her rare, completed works.



She loved all animals, but especially the wire-haired fox terriers who shared her home, including Sandy, Holly, Bijoux and DeeDee. Mignon, the beautiful Japanese bobtail cat joined the menagerie for a while, too. And she told us stories of riding her horses on the farm in Lorette and about the several dogs all named Nippy. She loved flowers and her garden was her refuge and pride and joy.



She travelled with intention and gusto. Her first trip was across post-war Europe with a group of girlfriends in a car purchased upon their arrival. She returned to Europe many times, to Normandy (the origin point for the Lagimodière family), to her beloved Paris with its art and cafes, to Belgium, in honour of her father's First World War regimental journey. She visited the Lord and Lady Arbuthnot in Scotland to bring greetings on behalf of their Canadian kin. She kept correspondence with and travelled to visit friends in Germany and the United Kingdom.



For Claudette, some moments and experiences were jokingly referred to as either civilized or tedious. She would have considered these past years, as she declined, as tedious. But she had so many civilized moments. She loved beauty, music and art and would share this love with her friends and family.



It is hard to know if she really understood the impact she had on her nieces and nephews and the grand-nieces and nephews. She introduced us to so much: to fine food, wine, classical music, art and jazz. She opened doors to a world outside our comfortable suburban lives, telling us not to ask what it is, but how it makes us feel. Misogyny and inequality angered and offended her, and she demanded we challenge the status quo.



Claudette loved us fiercely and was loyal, protective and proud of her family and friends. She was generous with her time and spirit, and extravagant with her gifts. She was more than civilized, she was magnificent, and we'll miss her deeply.



Claudette left us on February 2, 2024. A celebration of her life will be held when the winter passes and the flowers begin to bloom.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 10, 2024, Feb 10, 2024