Elaine Mary (Bloomquist) Dubé

Good afternoon,

Thank you all for coming. We know our grama would feel very loved.

I’m Aimee, Elaine’s granddaughter I’ll be reading her Eulogy on behalf of her three granddaughters today .

This week we lost a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmother.

If not for our grandparents, our family would not be here. Nor would we have our morals, values, or beliefs.

Grama Elaine was born March 5, 1942

Her parents were Raymond and Mary Bloomquist. She had a brother Lyle and sister Jean.

Grama was born and raised in The Pas, MB. She worked for Manpower for almost 30 years.

Elaine married our grandfather Norbert Dube May 23, 1960.

They had a love rare to find. People dream of a love like theirs.

Elaine and Norbert had a daughter, our mother, Joanne October 31, 1960.

Whom she loved dearly and unconditionally

Grama loved her family, traveling, gardening, her and papas beautiful cabin at the lake, and entertaining.

She loved going for lunches with her long time girlfriends.

She loved her domino days at the lake.

Gramas love for friends was unconditional, of which she had many.

So many special memories she shares with so many people.

Her life was lived to its fullest, just as we would expect from her, and that is evident by the many faces here today.

Today we honour and celebrate her life and her love.

Grama Elaine always had a way of making you feel as though you were the most loved person in the whole world.

She shaped who my mom is, she shaped who my sisters and I are. She has shaped who her great grandchildren will become.

Her legacy, her grace and her elegance will carry on.

Even in her last couple of years grandma summoned all of her strength to carry on and live life with all the energy she could.

The way to describe our grama that my sisters and I agree on. It would no question be a Golden Girl.

Those who don’t know what I’m referring to. It is the tv show. Four roommates, each with their own character. Grama would be a little each of those four in one little lady.

She was beautiful, intelligent, full of class and grace.

She had a wicked sense of humour

She would tell you to come give her a big hug , how much she loved you and turn around kick your ass in cards. 31 to be specific.

And, If anyone knows this family, they’ll know that the women may possess a slightly stubborn side.....I’m going to go ahead and blame that trait on Grandma.....She was the most caring loving selfless person we’ve known. But she’d put you in your place pretty quick should she felt it necessary.

And trust me my sisters and I put her patience to the test on more than one occasion. But despite our best efforts she never gave up on us. She was still proud of us and could still see the best part in us.

Her strength was amazing.

Growing up we spent many nights at grama and papas. Some of which was when papa was away at work and it was those special girls’ nights which included watching the golden girls, painting our nails eating fudgicles, TV dinners and drinking as much chocolate milk as we wanted. As much as we wanted mom...

To this day all three of us girls watch those shows on repeat. As we all own the series.

Before I end this.

Over the years grandma Elaine would send me letters. Ones that I will always cherish. She could have called but sent a letter instead. I loved them.

It’s my turn to read her a letter,

Grama,

We will miss you every day.

Nothing will be the same without you.

I’ll think of you and talk to you as I know part of you will be with me every day.

I promise to take care of my mom and my sisters.

I will love papa and be there for him and spend as much time with him as I can. As I see now no one is going to stay here forever, and every day is truly a gift. The only thing we can take and leave behind is memories.

Thank you grama for loving my sisters and I so much. For being such a huge part of our lives.

Thank you for all you did for us.

Thank you for being you.

You know I don’t believe in goodbyes.

I will see you later grama.

A celebration of life was held Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 1:00 pm at Christ Church Anglican, The Pas, with Rev. Dr. Rebecca Graham and Lay Reader Maureen Maciesza presiding.  Music was provided by Isobel Halcrow.

A reception followed at Christ Church Parish Hall.

A private family interment was held at Lakeside Cemetery, The Pas, Manitoba.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Cancer Care Manitoba, ON1160 – 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E OV9, would be appreciated by Elaine's family.