The Craftiest Workshop

I awoke Christmas morning to a message from my mom asking all my siblings to call her. Fearing the worst and not being able to get through on the phone, I messaged my brother Russell. He is always up early and I knew he would have already spoken with mom. It turned out Matante Georgette, my mom’s younger sister had passed away unexpectedly in the night.

I imagine that my aunt arrived at the Pearly Gates and, if she found them closed would have yelled loudly, “Hellloooooo, is anyone there?” If she had to wait, she would have sung a boisterous hymn in her angelic voice and would have been dancing around swinging her hips. The gates would not have remained closed for long as she had such a strong faith, loving heart, positive energy and the ability to find humor in everything.

My aunt and uncle lived in Edmonton for all of my school age years. They moved to Vernon and have been there since. Our family would travel to Edmonton at least yearly to visit them and my Mémère. We would stay at my aunt and uncle’s house because my Mémère lived in a small apartment.

Their family would also come to visit us in Kamsack. I recall one Christmas where they surprised us all showing up at our door on Christmas Eve. I remember it infusing some extra energy, excitement and entertainment into our Christmas.

My aunt was a primary school teacher. She loved to sing songs with us as children and read to us. Here are the cousins with my aunt singing what I thought was “Ring Around the Rosie”; my mom thinks “Do You Know the Muffin Man”. Either way, I am the blonde in the middle not doing the right thing. This was a normal activity when the Girard family was visiting. Other songs like “Quarter Masters Store” and “Down By the Bay” were other favorites. My best memory of my aunt is her doing “Alice the Camel” with us. When it got to the boom boom boom part she would swing her hips and knock us over. We would get back up and do it again for the other nine verses laughing the whole time.

• 

• 

Our visits in my teenage years were full of conversations and questions about my life.
Matante Georgette always took an interest in what was going on with me.

I spent a few summers in Cold Lake at Cadet camp.
One weekend I went on leave and spent the weekend with my aunt and uncle at a cabin.
It is always nice to visit extended family on your own.

My Aunt and Uncle had very affectionate relationship.
I am guessing the spark remained strong right till the end.
Her passing will be especially hard on him.

• 

• 

Matante Georgette and my mom were the best of friends.
They visited via FaceTime daily and played cards together online.
She was in my parent’s wedding party and was the surprise guest at my mom’s birthday bash.

• 

• 

Some people live their lives in the shadows and when they die it is just a blip of light going out.
Georgette was more like the spark that lights up an entire room.
Her endless positive energy and booming laughter will be missed by all that had the privilege to spend time with her.

To my Uncle Clem, all the cousins but especially Dan/Julie, Michelle and Rachel/Tyler, all the grandchildren, Matante Georgette’s sisters Loraine(my mom)/Charles, Therese/Dave and sister in-law Germaine, I send my heartfelt condolences along with a big virtual hug.