Saturday, April 23, 2022
Christine (my Bff), Monica, Madeleine, & your families here & in Belgium,
The thing I most remember about your mom is that she was a very accomplished seamstress. When she was sewing our culottes (the newest “in” thing), she gave me so many lessons in ripping out seams. Ha!
We made many friends with the Belgians in Canada through your mom who are still among us.
We enjoyed camping at The Narrows where the elk would visit our campsites, and trips to Whiteswan Lake.
Marie always kept us up on the news & music & fashions of the day. She would call me from the boutique where she worked to come in & try on a new dress or coat that would be just “perfect” for me.
She was a truly cultured lady, introducing me to the Saskatoon Symphony orchestra. She was so proud of Madeleine’s prowess in ballet and Ukrainian dance.
She loved animals, especially the homeless ones Monica would bring to the house on a regular basis, and the pet bird of Christine’s that seemed to have the run of the place (freaking me out).
We were encouraged to take a trip to Europe where we at first stayed with her large family in Belgium - Tantes & Nuncs & cousins, where we danced at the disco bars, picked wild strawberries, drank Trappiste wine, and were immersed in Marie’s culture she had left behind to come to Canada with the man she loved.
She was a very special lady & her legacy is her three lovely daughters.
May we all cherish her memory.
Sincerely, Linda McQueen
