Thérèse Wanlin (née Fifi)

Peacefully at the Foyer Notre-Dame, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba, early in the morning of Thursday, November 20th, Thérèse Marie Wanlin (née Fifi), passed away at the age of 102, following complications from a severe fall on the 13th.

Thérèse leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her loving memory, her five children: Yvonne, Gérald, Denis (Wendy Haegeman), Lorraine (Hubert Vuignier), Hubert (Heather James), twelve grandchildren: Joanne (Robert Werbowesky), Joey (Amy Farrel), Nancy (James Hunter), Kenny (Brooke), Gary, Corey (Cindy), Tiffany (Erik Neilson), Lacey (Matthew De Konick), Bryce (Lindsey James), Bryn (Matthew Bell), Jade (Jared St. Hilaire), Ashley and 17 great-grandchildren: Serena, Noah, Riley, Kian, Amara, Linnea, Piper, Casey, Remy, Parker, Chase, Skylar, Huntley, Westley, Oakley, Berkley, and Brielle.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Alphonse Wanlin in 2003, and her parents, Julien (1953) and Caroline Fifi (1982), also her son-in-law, George Crampton in 2018. She outlived all her 15 siblings: brothers: Achille, Adolphe, Phillipe, Emile, Joseph, Henri, Alexander, Jules, Octave, Auguste, Louis, sisters: Yvonne Marie Fifi, Marie Lesperance, Lucie McNabb, Julie Mauws, plus numerous sisters and brothers-in-law.

Thérèse was born in Somerset, Manitoba on November 15, 1923, fifth child of Julien and Caroline Fifi (née Godon). At age 13, she began “hiring out” to help neighbouring families. She married Joseph Wanlin on October 26, 1943 in Bruxelles and spent the first winter in Winnipeg. In the spring of 1944, they settled on the Wanlin home farm in Notre Dame where she raised their five children as well as provided care to her father-in-law (Herman) who lived with them for 8 years. Life on the farm was never easy & they survived their share of crop failures & disasters, such as when their barn burnt down in November 1958, which was rebuilt the next year with the generous help of friends & neighbours. She retired to town in 1976 to her first house with indoor plumbing and modern conveniences. She quickly got involved in town life, especially socially at the Club d’âge d’or playing cards & winning many shuffleboard games. She enjoyed her large garden & flowers, travelling on 3 major trips, sewing, quilting and spending time with family and grandchildren. She also was involved in community activities like volunteering for the Hospital Auxiliary and calling bingo at the Foyer.

She was a wonderful grandmother who always welcomed her family and grandchildren and blessed them with many special memories and many delicious meals. She will be greatly missed by her loving family.

Rest in peace Thérèse, cherished Mother & Grandmother/Great Grandmother. Till we meet again.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Centre de Santé Notre-Dame (Hospital), Box 190, Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB R0G 1M0.

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