Marge Comeau, 1945-2005

Marge Comeau was born in Edmonton June 24, 1945. She lived the first five years of her life in Driftpile until the family moved to Joussard.

Paul and Marge were married Dec. 27, 1961 and have always made Joussard their home. They raised three children: Delaine, Claudia and Blaine. They were a close-knit family and the children were well cared for and brought up in a very loving home.

Together, Marge and Paul were the nucleus for their quite large family. It was always a very warm experience to watch how caring and giving they were all to each other and how often the children and grandchildren would drop in just to be with Paul and Marge for no particular reason.

Marge was the mother hen who ruled the family roost. If she was annoyed with one of the family members, you might hear her describe them with a little less than her usual high esteem for them. Marge, however, was defensive of her loved ones and didn't take kindly to anyone else speaking poorly of someone in her family.

Eulogist Jerry Nessman says he met the family through work and it wasn't long before the Comeaus extended a visit into their home. At the time the family resided in what's referred to as the old house and the children were still quite small. Visiting with the Comeaus afterwards became a frequent occurrence and has continued for 37 years.

Visiting with the Comeaus always involved a lot of fun. There was never a dull moment as there were many interesting and enjoyable things to do together. Guests in Marge's home experienced a host like no other. Marge had a way of making everyone feel welcome. One of the highlights at the Comeaus were the excellent meals and treats Marge prepared. It was a given that she always had plenty of goodies on hand.

Marge, without a doubt, was the best cook ever. There was no such thing as a shortage of terrific meals in Marge's kitchen. There isn't probably anyone here, at one time or another, who hasn't dug into and couldn't resist getting stuffed by Marge's cooking.

The Comeau household was a generous one. Marge and Paul enjoyed company. There was always someone or several people dropping in and/or staying over. Water hauling, cooking and entertaining were constant occurrences to keep up with the flow of guests. Their home could be described as a no charge bed and breakfast.

Marge was a hard worker. She was always cleaning around the house. I was always cautious when I put something on her stove, as one would get an earful, if something got splattered on it and it was not cleaned up.

Marge was the anchor for her ever so large family. When it was time to organize family events, such as family reunions, wedding or special events, such as birthdays, nothing was ever done small. The bigger the better.

There were a lot of late nights at the Comeaus but Marge was always the first person up in the morning putting the coffee on, starting breakfast and organizing her household for yet another day for the overnight guests. Most definitely the pink rabbit could not hold a candle to her.

Marge enjoyed working in the yard with her flowers around the edge of their home. She shared the lawn cutting duties with Paul.

Marge was very active in the community, a member of the Joussard Community Association, helping and participating in events such as her favourite, ice fishing tournaments. Marge spent some time as the cook for the Wednesday senior suppers, as a cook for the Joussard Lunch Program as well as cooking for the walleye tournaments that are usually held in the summer. She was the bus driver for the Joussard School where she worked until her passing.

Marge truly loved to play cards. She especially liked to win. If she was having a losing streak you could tell because she would get agitated showing signs of impatience. Such as when some player would be dawdling and Marge would encourage them to get on with it saying, "C'mon, today!"

Similarly, she liked to play bean bags. If Marge was heckled, causing her not to do so well, she'd make it known to the heckler in no uncertain terms just how she felt about him.

One time Marge was out ice fishing when movement of the ice resulted in a loud crack. Everyone could feel the ice shudder beneath their feet. Marge, with a wild look in her eyes, dropped her fishing rod and started to run, but with no apparent destination in mind. Paul, who hadn't stirred from his bucket, looked up as she bolted and said, "Where do you think you're going?"

It's regretful that Marge, who still had so much to live for, passed so early in life. Marge would have reached her 60th birthday on June 24. We all have fond memories of the many happy times with Marge, our loved one and friend. Because she left this world doesn't mean we've lost her. We need to be thankful for the times when she brightened our lives. While we mourn the loss of Marge, it is equally important that we not forget to celebrate her life. God be with you until we meet again.

Marge will be greatly missed by many, both in and out of the community.

Marge is survived by those who loved her: her lifetime partner and husband, Paul; children Delaine (Gene) Hird of Slocan, B.C., Claudia Comeau and (Ron Matula) of High Prairie, and Blaine (Gloria) Comeau of Joussard; grandchildren Michelle Hird (Brent Tulloch), Rose and Andrea Hird, Lindsey Comeau and (Terri) Fjeld, Maxine, Teri and Brenton Comeau, and great-grandson, Dwight Tulloch; and stepchildren Mitchell and Jacob Matula; 12 siblings including Karen, Rhonda, Sandra, Candace, Charlie, Randy, Barry, Corrine, Sharon, Geraldine, Donna-May and Gary; mother-in-law Yvonnette Comeau; and many other family members and in-laws who were all very important in her life.

A memorial service for Marge was held at St. Anne Parish in Joussard Feb. 26 at 2 pm. With Rev. Virgilio Baratto O.M.I. officiating. The organist was Yvonnette Comeau, readers were Geraldine Anderson and Cheryl Beaudry and the eulogist was Jerry Nessman.

Honourary pallbeares were Michelle Hurd, Maxine Willier, Lindsey Comeau, Brenton Comeau, Teri Comeau, Andrea Hird, Rose Hird and Dwight Tulloch.

Marge's resting place is at the Joussard Catholic Cemetery.