Lila "Joan" (Orchard) Gamache

Lila “Joan” Gamache (Orchard) longtime resident of The Pas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at the age of 92 with family by her side. 

Joan leaves to cherish her memory, her children Brenda (Lawrence) Garand (Lisa, Jennifer, Brent); Craig (Heather) Gamache (Thomas, Sam); Don (Sharon) Gamache (Chelsea, Bryce, Hannah); Susan (Jeff) Thiele (Jordan, Wade, Josh, Bryn); 17 great-grandchildren, her sister Lois Martin and numerous nieces and nephews.    

Joan was predeceased by her husband George, her parents, sister Muriel Gleadle and brother Don Orchard.

Joan was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 16, 1932 to Don and Mabel Orchard.  She moved to The Pas as a teenager and attended the Red Brick School.  Her parents owned and operated Orchard’s Lunch Bar where she worked as a waitress in her teenage years. Her family travelled extensively as her father was in the Air Force.  Before moving to a cabin in The Pas on the shores of Clearwater Lake near the Military Base, they lived in Alymer, Quebec; Truro, Dartmouth and Halifax, NS and Vancouver, BC.  One of her vivid memories was being on a boat in Halifax Harbour amongst all the Navy ships on VE day.  Another was the very harrowing trip through the Rockies (with only one lane for traffic) on their move to BC. 

Mom and Dad were married on January 20, 1954. Mom fostered children in our early years and then went to work first as a secretary at her brother's law office, Orchard & Company.  She went on to work in the office at Opasquia School (her favourite job) and then various departments at our local Paper Mill (Head Office, Woodlands, and Maintenance).

Mom had numerous hobbies. She loved to quilt and gifted one to each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also loved painting and took lessons over the years here, Yuma and Vancouver Island. 

Mom volunteered locally teaching adults to read which she found so rewarding and also loved volunteering at the local Hospital Gift Shop. 

Mom had a very adventurous spirit.  Her and Dad enjoyed many years travelling and spent their winters in Yuma.  After Dad passed, Mom spent winters in Duncan, BC near her brother Don and then went on group tours to Costa Rica, Newfoundland, Hawaii, Ireland and Scotland.  She went ziplining and swimming with dolphins in her late 80’s.  We will dearly miss our adventurous, spirited, fiesty mother.  

Many thanks to The Pas Health Complex Second Floor Staff for the wonderful care provided to Mom.  Thank you also to Home Care Staff, Tri-Community Health Staff and Northern View Lodge Staff who took such great care of Mom. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Pas Health Complex Hospital Auxiliary Box 541, The Pas, MB, R9A 1K6  will be appreciated by the family.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.