Léonie Ida Marie Philippot (née Rey)

Léonie was born in St. Claude on May 24th, 1931, one of 12 children to Joseph and Juliette Rey (née Gobin). Her family included seven sisters, Marie (Allec) Georgette (Badiou), Mathilde (Gautron) Bernadette (Galbraith), Laurette (Coppell), Jeanne (Dedieu), and Rose (Sawchuk), four brothers Joseph, Louis, Pierre and Georges Rey. She was predeceased by her beloved son-in-law Howard Rach (2012) and husband of 69 years, Charles (2024).

At the young age of 6 years old, mom already expressed interest in teaching, so her mother ordered a mathematic set of wooden counting pegs from a catalogue for her. Mom would role-play as a teacher using those pegs with younger children and her name quickly morphed into Peggy.

In 1951, mom attended Normal School to obtain her teaching permit. Her teaching career would span from 1952 to 1988. Her first teaching position was at École Louvain in St. Claude and unbeknownst to her, she was teaching some of her future in-laws. The following years she continued working as a teacher with the Cloverleaf and Brooklands School Districts.

Early in her teaching career, mom met dad, and they married on July 17th, 1954. As they began their newly married life in Winnipeg, mom raised two daughters and continued her teaching career as a classroom teacher with the Transcona, St. James, Kildonan East and River East School Divisions.

In 1962, mom and dad moved back to St. Claude so dad could pursue his passion for farming. While residing in St. Claude, Mom taught at Columbine School and École Dandurand (Haywood area). In 1964, mom embarked on new path in her teaching career by becoming a Hutterian teacher and school principal at Fairholme, New Rosedale and Grand Colonies.

Throughout her teaching career, Mom left a lasting impression on students and colleagues with her warmth, positivity, love of teaching and radiant smile. These lasting impressions remained even in later years, as former Hutterite student, Mary-Anne Kirby, author of I Am Hutterite wrote: It was from our new English Teacher, that I would get a real education. On the first day she swept onto the colony and into the school, she was wearing a fitted dress, with a double strand of pearls. Her lipstick and nail polish matched the color of her dress perfectly. Her hair done in the precise manner as Queen Elizabeth. She was the most groomed and glamourous creature we had ever seen, and we nearly went crossed-eyed looking at her.

Mom was a hard-working woman, balancing her teaching career, raising two daughters, maintaining the family home, tending to huge gardens and helping dad with farm work. Although busy with various roles, mom always found time to attend and enjoy dancing at Dad’s live Les Philippots Band performances.

Upon retirement, mom preferred the quiet life going to town for groceries and having coffee with friends as well as being a cat mom to up to 30 stray cats. On occasion, mom would also come to Winnipeg to shop and visit family.

In 2013, mom enjoyed her first time travelling by plane with me to Las Vegas. I was so happy to have shared this memorable experience with her and to observe her eyes shining so brightly with amazement at all the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.

In 2020, dad faced health issues so mom could no longer reside on their farm alone due to mobility issues. I welcomed her into my home in Winnipeg where she resided from 2020 to 2025. During that time, mom became the entirety of my world, as many can relate. I am so grateful to have been able to share her remaining years, not only as her daughter but as her caregiver. By the end of March 2025, mom needed more care than I could provide. She was admitted to various rural hospitals and then to St. Claude Transitional Care Unit on May 1st. Mom always hoped for placement in Winnipeg so we could be close again but unfortunately, it became an unfulfilled wish for both of us.

I will forever miss mom’s presence in my home, our daily, lengthy phone calls and especially her check-in voicemail messages to know if I am home and safe.

Special thanks to all staff at the St. Claude TCU for your compassionate care of mom over the past 3 months, you are exceptional. Also, my deepest gratitude to Lynn B. (TCU), Colleen Philippot, Simone Lambert, tante Madelaine Dedieu and cousine Marilyn Ouimet for your unwavering support during mom’s final days.

To the end life that gave me life, I will forever love and miss you mom.

I hope to see you on the other side.

Claudette

No formal service will be held. A Video Tribute celebrating Léonie's life will be available at a later date.