It is with deep sorrow and much love that we announce our precious mother and grandmother, Vera (Catherine) Baillargeon of Longlac, Ontario passed away on September 21st , 2024, at the age of 81.
Vera was a dear and loving mother to Shannon Stevens (Don) of Crystal Beach, Ontario and Bernard “Bernie” (Annie Roy) of Longlac, Ontario. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren; Catherine, Matthew and Zackery. She is survived by her siblings; Carolyn Bredin (Paul Pietsch) and Neal Bredin (Danielle D'Amour). She will be greatly missed by the Baillargeon in-laws, and over 50 nieces and nephews/great-nieces and great-nephews.
She is predeceased by her husband Francois “Frank” Baillargeon and by her parents; Ernest and Sarah Bredin.
Vera was born in England and moved to Canada when she was five years old. She moved to Longlac in the late 1940s. In her younger teens, she worked at the general store (Hudson’s Bay Company), then she worked at the Central Store as a cashier and bookkeeper. She went to school to become a bookkeeper and was Frank’s partner in the E & F Heaters business from 1974 to 2016.
In her younger days, Vera loved to needle point, knit, and sew. She was actively involved in ringette, growing the sport in Northwestern Ontario. In 1985, she was inducted into the Ontario Ringette Association Hall of Fame. Over the past few years she has been involved with the Longlac Cross Country Ski Club, Longlac Historical Society and Longlac Seniors Club.
Vera was quite passionate about family ancestry and thoroughly researched the Baillargeon and Bredin families history, helping other family members complete their family trees. During her many years of marriage to Frank, she loved bringing together the Longlac Baillargeon families for delicious suppers on all special occasions. Vera loved cooking and baking, and when sitting to relax, she enjoyed watching the Montreal Canadiens.
One of Vera’s final wishes was to be able to attend Zackery’s Grade 12 graduation this past June. She was so happy to know that her three grandchildren are all on a path to be successful adults. Whiskers her cat, who sat by her side every day, will deeply miss her.
The family want to thank Joanne Picard (and staff at the NorWest Community Health Centre), Teresa Perryman (Community Nurse, Bayshore Home Health), Crystal Ahola, and Dr. Simpson from the Palliative Care Team in Thunder Bay, and the home and community care staff who all played a vital role in Vera’s healthcare and provided us with the support we needed so that she could stay at home throughout her illness.
Family are invited to attend a private visitation on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and friends are welcome to join at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. John the Baptist RC Church in Longlac, Ontario. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 at 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Baptist RC Church in Longlac. Interment will follow at Longlac Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Northern Cancer Fund https://www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/cancer-donate or the Moosecalac Where Sick Kids Count E-transfer to griffin2031@gmail.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street, at Algoma, Thunder Bay.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
