Beatrice Corine PONCHON
(nee MEILLEUR)
1906 - 1994

On Sunday, December 11, 1994, Beatrice Ponchon peacefully passed away after a lengthy illness, at the Percy E. Moore Hospital in Hodgson, Man., surrounded by her family and close relatives.
 

Beatrice was born in Leramore, North Dakota in 1906. In 1911 she migrated to Arborg, Man. with her parents. She later moved to Fisher Branch where she resided for 82 years, except for a brief period when she worked at a Winnipeg orphanage.

She received a brief education. At the age of 12, she accepted maternal  responsibilities, caring for her younger family members after  the death of her mother. Her faith saw her through the difficulties in her life. Beatrice loved life and found special enjoyment in her family. Her special interest was spinning her wool which she knitted into work socks and mitts. She took great pride in continuing the art of unique rug weaving which had been handed down from a past generation. Evidence of her skilfulness can be found in many homes. Her well learned sewing skills are evident in the clothing she customized for the family.  She was an avid gardener and placed equal emphasis on her domestic duties, especially cooking. Farm life took her to the fields, pitching hay or tending the dairy cattle.

Beatrice leaves to mourn her passing four sons and one daughter, Henri and his wife Mary, Emile and his wife Grace, Eugene and Antoine, all of Fisher Branch, Juliette Pinette and husband Rene of Ear Falls, Ont. She will be sadly missed by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Natalie, Kristina, Yvonne and Louise Ponchon of Fisher Branch ; Catherine and Bradley Hutchison and daughters Mindy, Meranda and Victoria of Ear Falls, Ont. ; Marc Pinette of Thunder Bay, Ont. ; Jacqueline and Michael Beaudry and son Taylor ; Michelle and Jeannette Giasson ; Diane and Randy Dandeneau and son Justin ; Dennis Pinette and Stephen and Cassidy, all of Winnipeg, and two sisters, Josephine Vandersteen and Rose McLean. Beatrice was predeceased by her husband Marius in 1953, three brothers, Victor, Eusebe and Albert and one sister Blanche Bourget..

Prayers were held on Wednesday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Fisher Branch, conducted by Deacon Robert Giasson and Sister Agnes Jolicoeur. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated Thursday, December 15 at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Fisher Branch, Man. Interment followed at the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Cemetery, officiated by Fr. Stan Grasek.

Fisher Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements, 204-372-6171

Beatrice Ponchon was born in Leramore, North Dakota in 1906. In 1911 she migrated to Arborg, Manitoba with her parents, brother and sister. She later moved to Fisher Branch, where she resided for eighty-two years, except for a brief period when she worked at a Winnipeg orphanage.

Due to her mother's untimely death, Beatrice, 12 years of age, graciously accepted maternal responsibilities and cared for her younger family members. These new duties left no time for an education except a few basic primary years.

Beatrice lived life and found special enjoyment with her family. Her keen interest was spinning wool with  a spoon which she knitted into  work socks and mitts. She took great pride in continuing the art of unique rug weaving which  had been handed down from a past generation. Evidence of her skills can be found in many homes ; far and wide. Her well learned sewing ability is evident in the clothing she customized for the family. She was an avid gardener and placed equal emphasis on her domestic duties, especially cooking and canning. Farm life took Beatrice to the fields, pitching, hay or tending to the dairy herd.

Through all the sunshine and shadows that crossed their path of life. she remained a committed shepherd of Christ and faithful to  the Christian beliefs which He instilled in her.

Mom's loving character can be no better be described than from these borrowed words :

Her humble dedication ; love for honesty and hard toil and her great sense of humour will always be remembered and cherished