Florence Remillard

Florence Remillard

(née Berard)

Florence Remillard, passed away peacefully at the St. Norbert Personal Care Home on March 17, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia Ward (Robert), Lynda Eliuk (Robert) and Darlene Remillard, her grandson Jason (Erika) and her great-grandson Mateo. She also leaves to mourn her siblings, Raymond (Audrey) Berard, Guy Berard, Florent (Rachel) Berard, Richard (Gisele) Berard, Gisele (Ron) Eldridge; her in-laws, Marie-Anna Berard, Don Bonham, Henri Ouellet, Aimé (Anita) Remillard, Roger Remillard, Anne Marie Remillard, Fernand (Solange) Remillard, Gilles (Huguette) Remillard and Aurele (Stella) Remillard, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert Remillard, her grandson Jed Remillard-Eliuk, her parents Philippe and Germaine Berard, her sisters Alice (Bert) Paulhus, Juliette Bonham and her brother Albert Berard; her brother-in-law Hervé Remillard; her sisters-in-law Christine Berard, Renée Remillard, Gladys Remillard, Claudette Remillard, Gisele Ouellet and Irene Remillard.

Florence (mom) was born in Morris, Manitoba on Dec. 21st, 1940.  Mom lived with her mother, father and many siblings in the little house on the prairie till they moved to the big 2nd storey farmhouse in St. Joseph.  Mom loved going to school at the little country schoolhouse where she acquired the love of reading.  Mom wanted to finish school and graduate, but as the eldest daughter, she had to help care for her large family and work in the beet fields as well.  Mom continued her love of reading many genres of books throughout her lifetime.  There is a memory of her reading her Harlequin Romance novel as these were quite popular in the day while we were reading Little House on the Prairie on her bed.  Grandpa and Grandma Berard raised a closeknit family and cherished their children.  Grandpa and Grandma Berard would have a “special day” in the week for a homemade family treat.  One of mom’s favorite memories was homemade ice cream on Sundays in the Berard household.

Mom was the (Florence Nightingale) of this southern community.  She helped many families with childcare, cooking and cleaning.  This, she loved to do, while acquiring her income (being financially independent was very important to mom).  Mom loved music and fell head over heels with Elvis Presley and bought his music record albums.  Grandpa Berard was taken aback with this new attitude but grew to like it.

Mom met dad in St. Joseph through Grandpa Remillard and Grandpa Berard’s business bartering.  The bartering system was very prevalent in those days.  Mom took a liking to this handsome young man and they married on Nov. 14th, 1964 in St. Joseph, Manitoba.  Mom and dad did celebrate their 49th Wedding Anniversary, November/2013 in the hospital before dad died.

Mom and dad had three children, Pat, Lynda and Darlene.  Mom cleaned, cooked, baked, canned and sewed (she truly enjoyed these tasks).  While raising a family mom decided to open her own house cleaning business.  She had clients who stayed with her from the beginning of her cleaning business career to the end of it.  This was a courageous effort on mom’s part as being an entrepreneurial woman in those days was less common.  Mom & dad both had large families; there was often company coming over while infusing the French culture, traditions and cuisine.  The priest in St. Norbert heard about mom, thus hired her to cook for him while he was hosting special events at his home (this was such an honour for mom).

Mom also loved selling Avon; mom excelled in this little side kick she stumbled upon.  The Christmas tree had many small, wrapped Avon gifts underneath it.  The memory of the smell of pine and Avon parfum is still, to this day, quite powerful.

While growing up with mom and dad, there’s the recollection of many kitchen card parties with music at home and many card games with relatives.  Dad’s brothers would bring their instruments. There was always good food being served and the music would start.  Dad and his brothers were musically inclined, while mom was talented in her ability to sing.  Whether it was country, classic rock or alternative music, she could sing it all.  Mom did have a beautiful voice!

Summer was filled with camping trips throughout northern Manitoba, fishing expeditions in dad’s boat and eating fish frys.  In the summertime mom loved planting her red geraniums, playing a good game of bochi ball and lawn darts.  She had a good baseball pitch as well; I’m sure her brothers had a hand in that.

Mom embraced being different, even if it was controversial.  She displayed this through her love of fashion, hair styles and makeup.  We’re just not sure about that curly afro but she loved it and that’s what counted.  While residing at the St. Norbert Nursing Home she visited the hair salon once a week staying true to who she was.

Mom loved the Autumn leaves, snowflakes and Christmas cardinals.  She relished these 2 seasons.  One of the most vibrant memories growing up would be Christmas time at mom’s house.  Mom was obsessed at Christmas time.  The décor, the Christmas tree with beautiful ornaments, red poinsettias, the homemade baking all laid out in the chest freezer (sucre a la crème) and homemade tourtiere along with lots of Christmas music.  Christmas was magical in our home!

Mom’s two grandchildren, Jason and Jed, were her treasures of life (her little angels) shall we say!  Mom loved this period in her life while watching her grandchildren grow and spending countless hours with them.

Her first great grandchild, L’il Mateo, was born March 29th, 2024, officially the 4th generation!

At her last care conference with her health care team on February 26, 2025, they relayed a story as her time was approaching.  They shared that when she first came into the nursing home in 2017, she was walking in the hallways asking if they liked her sparkly top.

Mom is the twinkle in the sky, our sparkle forever!!

A Service will be held at the St. Joseph Parish Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca