Marie-Reine Mangin

Marie-Reine Lucille Mangin (née Bisson)

1931 – 2015

Our family is very sorry to announce that Marie-Reine Lucille Mangin passed away on July 4, 2015. Born in Dunrea, on the family farm, Marie-Reine grew up on the farm. She left Dunrea briefly to work at the St. Boniface hospital, until she returned to help her mother when she became ill.

In 1951 Marie-Reine married Emile Mangin and they settled on the farm where he was born. She worked hard as a homemaker, caring for the couple’s nine children without complaint. She also helped out on the dairy farm whenever she was needed. The family moved to Brandon in 1974 for one year, but quickly decided they missed their hometown. So, they returned to Bruxelles in 1975, where they stayed until retirement.

While on the farm, Marie-Reine collected many exotic birds and animals. She was known for her love of nature, and people came to see her small zoo from many miles away. She was always willing to visit with them, and loved to show them around the pens.

In 1986 the couple moved to Treherne. Marie-Reine took on a job as a home care worker in Treherne. She understood how lonely the seniors were, and never complained when she needed to drop everything to go help someone in distress. In 1993 she retired, but continued to visit her senior friends.

Marie-Reine was a creative and talented craftsperson. She could sew, knit, crochet, embroider and quilt. Her projects won many prizes at local fairs across the province. She spent countless hours making beautiful heirloom quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Marie-Reine loved to garden. She especially loved flowers. She liked to give away what they had grown over the summer, and she was still helping out on her children’s farms well into her seventies.

Marie-Reine was often the first one to be involved in some mischief. It was extremely important to her that our family love and accept each other, but that we also have fun together. When asked, mom would tell us that her greatest love was her family.

Her children include: Eveline Mauws (Jerome), Lorraine Fouasse (Charles), Denis Mangin (Evelyn), Lucille Robert (Charles), Marcel Mangin (Denise), Jeanne Gibson (Wayne), Maurice Mangin (Kathy), Paul Mangin (Jacqueline), and André Mangin. Marie-Reine generously accepted the in-laws into the family and loved them like her own children. She leaves 26 grandchildren, and 42 great grandchildren whom she enjoyed very much.

She was predeceased by her husband Emile Mangin, her daughter-in-law Lori Mangin (André), and her great grandchild Sophia Mauws (Tyler and Erin Mauws).

Marie-Reine never asked for attention, preferring to focus on others. She was a great friend and a good listener. She didn’t want much, and enjoyed her grandchildren very much. She had strong morals, and taught her children the same values. She taught her children to be patient, creative and to love family and nature. She attended church regularly and her deep faith had a significant impact on her children. She worried about, prayed for, and accepted each of her extended family, many of whom were happy to call her mom.

So, we say goodbye with many tears. We won’t be able to hug our mom anymore. We won’t be able to share our joys and worries, or ask for parenting advice. We will however continue to remember and laugh about her pranks. She’s gone to the heavenly reward she so richly deserves. We know she will continue to pray for us and will greet us with a hug when we join her.

The family wishes to thank the medical team and Notre Dame Foyer staff for care above and beyond what was expected of them. They continually showed Marie-Reine compassion and love while she was a resident at the Foyer. Merci!

Funeral services will be held in the St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church in Bruxelles, Manitoba on Thursday, July 9, 2015. Eulogy and music at 10:45 followed by Funeral Mass at 11 am with Father Paul Bisson officiating. Interment will take place after Mass at the Bruxelles Parish Cemetery.

Friends and family may honour Marie-Reine’s memory by making a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba for research: 10 -120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 or you may donate online at http://www.alzheimer.mb.ca/you-can-help/donate/

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca