Alice Weeks

Alice Claudia Weeks

(nee Gevaert)

Surrounded by love, Alice passed away peacefully May 9, 2023, at Douglas Campbell Lodge, Portage la Prairie, MB.

Alice was born to Henri Gevaert and Blanche (nee Chabbert) on February 18, 1943, and raised on their farm near Somerset, Manitoba. Alice began school in Notre Dame des Lourdes and completed her education at Richard School in Somerset in 1960.  Alice excelled in school, winning the Isbister and Chown Scholarships as well as serving as class valedictorian.  Her dedication to her education led her to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Latin Philosophy from the University of Manitoba (St. Boniface College) in 1963 and her Certificate in Education from the University of Manitoba in 1965.  Her quest for knowledge remained with her throughout her life.

Alice began her teaching career at Somerset Collegiate, but a chance encounter at a dance in Rathwell would change the course of her life.  On April 11, 1966, Alice married the love of her life and her best friend Robert Glenn Weeks.  She joined him on his farm situated on the Pembina Valley, south of La Riviere, MB.  Together, and true partners, they raised their three children to love life on the farm. Growing grain and raising livestock was hard but rewarding work. 

Alice returned to teaching in Manitou and Snowflake during the 1980’s.

Alice was an incredible artist.  Whether in sewing, knitting, or ceramics, mediocre was not an option.  Everything she sewed usually deviated from the original pattern to make it her own.  A sweater had to be knit from the most complicated of patterns, in the most beautiful yarn.  Ceramics were hand poured by her into molds and fired in her kiln. 

Her garden was always a passion project (except for the weeding).  The farm garden grew all of Bob’s favourites - early spring radishes and tomatoes eaten like apples straight off the plant.  When Alice and Bob moved to their house in La Riviere in 1997, flowers reigned supreme in the front yard with the help of friends and family.  At DCL, she claimed the largest planters and filled them to capacity.

In 2000, after 34 years of marriage, Bob lost his battle with cancer.  She managed her grief by throwing herself into her new role of Grandmother.  She showered her granddaughters with love, she basked in their presence. 

In 2014, Alice moved to Douglas Campbell Lodge in Portage la Prairie.  She became an active member of the resident community.  The independence Alice acquired in this move was unexpected and liberating.

Alice will be forever missed by her sons Glenn (Candy) and Dennis (Gwen) and her daughter Michelle (Sheldon) Strocen, her granddaughters Sonya and Sydney Strocen and Jenna Weeks.  Her sisters: Lorraine Normandeau, Marielle (Ron) Bosak, her brother-in-law Donald Grenier.

Her sisters-in-law: Bea Sheffield and Linda (Dennis) Heasley and brother-in-law Gordon Walker.

She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

She is predeceased by her husband Robert Weeks, her parents Henri and Blanche Gevaert, Bob’s parents Fred and Hilda Weeks, sister Lucie Grenier, brothers-in-law Albert Normandeau, Hugh Weeks, Jim Sheffield, sisters-in-law Phyllis Walker, Dixie Weeks, nieces Tracey Weeks and Sandra Taylor.

A Celebration of Alice’s Life will be held on June10, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Blair Morrison Memorial Hall in La Riviere, Manitoba.

In our hearts, we know that Alice and Bob are together: driving on gravel roads, looking at the fields and cows, searching for the perfect ice-cream cone.

A special thank you from the family goes to the people who helped Alice to live in her home for so long and to the staff of Douglas Campbell Lodge who felt like family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alice’s name to Douglas Campbell Lodge Garden Fund c/o the Portage District General Hospital Foundation or MS Canada.

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

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Weeks, please visit our floral store.