(Marie Ange) Lucienne (née Paradis) Déchaine passed away on 11 October 2019 at the age of 96 years old after a brief battle with cancer at the Grey Nuns Hospital (Edmonton, Alberta).
Born in Causapscal QC (31 January 1923), Lucienne was the child of Joseph (Paradis descended from Pierre Paradis who arrived in 1652) and Marie Louise (Saint-Onge descended from Jacques Payant dit Saintonge who arrived in 1698). She was pre-deceased by her husband Emile Joseph Déchaine (1926-1965) and her nine siblings: Joseph 1912-2007, Antoine 1913-1987, Zénon 1914-1998), Jean-Marie (1917-1998), Rose Anna (1918-2001), Paul (1919-1983), Gérard (1921-1985), Émile (1924-1964) and Jeanne (1926-2011). She is survived by her son Denis (Doris Chartrand) and daughter Rose-Marie (Mauro Chiesa).
In 1929, Lucienne’s family moved to Albertville SK; she completed Normal School in Saskatoon SK in 1943, and from 1943 to 1964 worked as a schoolteacher in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 1952 she married Émile (St. Lina AB), and moved to Edmonton in 1964 where she continued to teach. Her career ranged from teaching in one-room rural schoolhouses to developing a high school math curriculum in French. Life’s vagaries meant that it took 27 years to complete her B.Ed.: she began in 1943 at the University of Saskatchewan, continued via correspondence, and finished in 1970 via the University of Alberta.
After her retirement in 1982, Lucienne pursued many activities, including gardening, volunteering (Common Woman Books, Youth Emergency Shelter, Development & Peace, Société généalogique du nord-ouest), travel (Alaska, Australia, France, Italy, Panama Canal, USA), quilt-making, and knitting over 1000 pairs of mittens. Her extended families deeply appreciate the genealogies she completed of the Déchaine (1990) and Paradis (1995) clans.
Lucienne’s generosity of spirit, keen intelligence, deep faith, and quick wit — the latter the source of many “zingers” — were evident to all who knew her. She was a skilful teacher to the end, and her grace shone in word, deed and thought.
A Funeral Mass will be held in her honour at Saint-Thomas D’Aquin 8410 89 St, Edmonton at 10:00AM on 19 October 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WIN House (https://winhouse.org). Special thanks to the staff at Grey Nuns Hospital (Wards 41 and 43), Ashbourne, and CHOICE.
Michelle Pétrin says
Mme. Déchaine taught us Math at L’Académie D’Assomption when I was in junior high (1971 ish).
She was a fabulous teacher with a special way to handle a classroom of only girls. An example of grace.
I can still envision her using the overhead projector to teach – such a great upgrade from the chalkboards!
My condolences to your family.
Kathleen Quinn says
To the family of Lucienne,
I was so sad to read of Lucienne’s passing. I had received a change of address card in September and had planned to visit her. I left a message, and then the next day read the Edmonton Journal notice.
I knew Lucienne through her volunteer days with Development and Peace and her faithful support of CEASE, and other groups working to support women and children who suffered abuse.
She was a great woman who leaves many legacies.
Respectfully,
Kathleen Quinn
Maurice Dechaine says
Auntie Lucienne was not only a relation but taught me for a few years in St. Lina. Sorry for your loss. All the best to you and the family.