Marie Binne

Marie Binne
(née Pachet)

Peacefully at the St. Boniface Hospital on Thursday, November 21, 2019, Mrs. Marie Binne passed away at the age of 103 years.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Georgette (Guy) Philippot, Roger Binne (Lynda Mann), Michel (Lorraine) Binne, Lorraine (Denis) Hébert, Denyse Pirotton and Gilbert (Sue) Binne; her grandchildren, Roland, Daniel (Victoria), Jacqueline (Stefan), Marc (Tiffany), Theressa (Francois), Suzanne (Thad), Annette, Kerry, Jamie, Nicholas, Jessie (Chris), Kelly and Carly; her 11 great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her in-laws, Omer Levasseur and Odette Pachet; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. 

Marie was predeceased by her husband Georges Binne, her grandson Patrick Binne, her son in-law Gerry Pirotton as well as her parents, brothers and sisters. 

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 at the St. Claude Catholic Church. Memorial Service at 10:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00 am with Father Peter Le Van Ngu officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to a charity of one’s choice. 

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  For more information and condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

Eulogy

My earliest memory of Mom goes back to when we were living on the farm… I was (a toddler) sitting on the floor watching her washing dishes at the sink as she was looking out the window and singing. She was not practicing the Ave Maria or singing some classic by Vera Lynn or Edith Piaf….. but was singing “ I’m forever washing dishes… Dirty dishes everywhere….” With Mom, it didn’t matter what you sang but that you were singing.

Music was certainly a big part of her being. It was the common thread that connected her to many cherished aspects of her life; school, church, community and many of her friendships. I can’t imagine her life without it.

I’m sure there is a music connection with many of you… whether it be a solo at a family wedding, a choir you participated in , her time spent with a budding soloist, a sing along with Uncle Omer at the piano or a particularly poignant rendition of Ave Maria at midnight mass.

 In Arizona, Mom joined a choir and during that time, with the tutoring of the director, and a lot of practice, was able to hit a particular high note that she had never been able to sing before. She was quite proud of this accomplishment. This lifelong learning extended to many aspects of her life; from successes in her garden to learning new piano pieces to trying different crochet and needlework projects-usually with a special present in mind for someone.

 As a teacher, she was kind, patient, and caring… much as she was as a mother. One awkward situation did occur however when a young student came knocking at our door late one evening…. He had run away from home and wanted Mom to adopt him. The impact that she had on her students is evident, as we have witnessed countless times. Former students (some of whom ended up living in the same residence as her in St. Boniface) tell us stories of when Mom was their teacher back in the day.

One last note on teaching and to demonstrate the lengths she would go to for students….. do any of the ex students from Ecole Parthenay remember the use of a live skunk as a prop in a skit at the Christmas concert.

She loved her garden and a lot of care and planning went into it. The growing season did not begin before Marita arrived with dozens of seedlings that were destined for particular areas of the garden. The pond and running water added another dimension of aquatic plants and birds and a well placed bench afforded countless hours of quiet contemplation… especially with her sister Nini.

Card games at family get togethers certainly brought out the competitive nature of an otherwise peaceful and easy going soul and were the source of much enjoyment, especially with Tantes Georgette and Nini.

Christmas meant wall to wall kids in sleeping bags, more card games (her favourite being 3 card poker) and of course, music.

She was always gracious and wanted everyone to feel included. Her sense of humour and desire to sing prevailed to the very end.

Thank-you

The family would like to thank all those people who would take the trouble and pop in on her for a quick visit when she was in St.Claude, or do some odd job around the house or pick up her groceries or make sure she had a ride to church. Also, thank you to those who visited her once she was in St.Boniface. She always truly enjoyed these visits and hearing all the news from home.

So rest peacefully Mom. You deserve it. You have been an inspiration to us all.

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