Simone Hamel

Simone Alma Hamel (née Albert)

January 27, 1926 – November 20, 2022

Simone Hamel passed away peacefully at Middlechurch Personal Care Home in West St. Paul on November 20, 2022.

She will be fondly remembered by her daughters, Pat Hogue (Maurice), Colette Rezansoff (Robert), Lise Hamel-Landry and Charlene Hampton (Keith); grandchildren, Chantal Beaudry (Richard Caron), Mélanie Beaudry, Stephanie Gosselin (Jude) and Amelia Hampton; great-grandchildren Iver & Wolfgang Caron, Jude-Théo, Camille, Cosette, and Anaëlle Gosselin. She is also survived by her brothers and sister, Raymond Albert, Dora Henry and Gérard (Sylvia) Arnal as well as her in-laws, Rita Albert, Françoise Albert, Edgar Bilodeau, and Marian Albert,

Simone was predeceased by her husband Martin Hamel on November 27, 1996, by her brothers, sisters and in-laws, Laurent (Joan) Albert, Fernande (Joe) Schmoeller, Camille Albert, Bertha (Aurele) Crôteau, Claude Albert, Raymond(baby) Albert, Ralph Henry, Betty Bilodeau, Denis Albert, Aimé (Juliette) Hamel, Blanche (Peter) Todd, John (Gladys) Hamel, Vincent (Mae) Hamel, Flore (Hjalmer) Swenson and Beatrice (Johnny) Fediuk. Recently, on July 5, 2022, Simone was predeceased by her son-in-law Bob (Robert) Landry.  He was very special to her filling the spot of the son she never had.  

Simone was born in St. Eustache.  After her mother’s death, Mom became responsible for taking care of her siblings at the age of 12.  In 1942, at the age of 16, she moved to Fannystelle, MB where she worked as a “hired girl” for the Underwood, Johnson, Mollot, and Painchaud families.  On her 18th birthday, Simone moved to Winnipeg and began a job working in a restaurant.  Two years later she moved to B.C. to join her family.  There she worked at MacMillan Bloedel sorting boards, a job she said she hated.  Eventually, she returned to Winnipeg where she once again worked in restaurants until her marriage to Martin Hamel on September 26, 1949.  Together Simone and Martin started a family and operated Hamel’s General Store which remained the family business until 1999. 

Mom loved to travel.  Over the years she went on many trips, near and far.  She was always ready for a road trip, camping, lying on the beach in Mexico or Cuba, or perhaps cruising the Mediterranean.  One of her favourite trips was to watch the Silver Broom in Switzerland.  She loved participating in bonspiels as well as watching them.  She was such a good curler that she was often called on to spare for the men’s teams.  She was known to have won many tools at men’s bonspiels over the years! She retired from curling as the reigning champ, winning all the cash spiels in her final year. She was also a serious fan of baseball, cheering very loudly for the Blue Jays.  Mom always loved babies. She was always happiest when rocking a new grandchild, great-grandchild, or anyone’s baby.  

Simone moved to St. Benedict’s Place in West St. Paul in 2008 where she led a very full and happy life for many years.  She had friendship and support from other residents and from the Benedictine sisters who lived there.  The chapel at St. Benedicts was a wonderful setting where Mom continued to practice her Catholic faith.  She loved being close to nature and watching the deer come to graze near the residence.  She continued to be able to enjoy helping with the garden and with canning for many years. When she broke her hip in September of 2020 she moved in with Charlene, Keith and Amelia where she stayed until placement at Middlechurch Personal Care Home in March of 2022.

The family would like to express their appreciation to all the staff at Middlechurch.  We would like to extend thanks to Luz, Ammabel, Kevin, and Sherwin.  The family would also like to give a special thank you to Dr. Stephen Choy, Mom’s family physician for many years.  He went above and beyond his calling and was very caring and compassionate to Mom and to our family. The family would like to thank Jeannine Guyot for her help and kindness during this difficult time.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Paroisse Sacré-Coeur in Fannystelle, Manitoba on Friday, November 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. by Father Mario Avelino Velosa. Viewing, eulogy and video tribute prior at 1:30 p.m.  Interment in Fannystelle following the service.  Masks are recommended.

There will be a reception at the Fannystelle Community Hall following the interment.  Please join the family in celebrating Simone’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Simone Hamel to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The service will be available to be viewed online.

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

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