Marguerite Giroux, 1916-2004

Mrs. Marguerite Giroux, of Grouard, passed away in her sleep at the High Prairie hospital on July 4. Marguerite is survived by her husband Jean Giroux. Marguerite was born in Hudson Hope, British Columbia on September 20, 1916 to Jack Melville Thomas and Alice Hunter. In November, 1927, Marguerite's mother passed away and as the eldest of six children, Marguerite had to mature in a hurry. In January 1928, Marguerite and her siblings made the long trip by sleigh through the cold from Hudson Hope to Rolla, British Columbia, with their father. Here, the young family boarded the train that carried them to High Prairie where a friend of Marguerite's dad, Joe Paquette met the family and transported them to Grouard Mission in his Model T automobile. At Grouard, the Thomas children were taken in by the convent, where they were raised and obtained their primary education at the St. Bernard's Mission. Marguerite married Jean Baptiste Giroux of Slave Lake (Sawridge) in November 1935 and they continued to reside in Grouard for nearly 69 years, raising their own family of nine children. From an early age, Marguerite valued the need for a good education and encouraged and assisted both her siblings and her own children in obtaining a good education as a foundation for a solid future. Marguerite possessed a great deal of energy and took several children into the comfort of her home, feeding and raising them long before formal foster care programs were developed. Marguerite was always active in her community, helping to organize many events, fulfilling the role of returning officer at elections, assisting at church functions and she always seemed happiest when she was giving of herself. Funersal services were conducted at St. Bernard's Church at Grouard with Fr. Sebastian Kunnathuparambil officiating on July 8. Marguerite is survived by her husband Jean of Grouard, one brother Jim of Faust, and her children; Guy (Vonda) of Pincher Creek; Rose Marie Bellerose (Cecil), Edmonton; Leslie, Edmonton; Valerie Strudwick (Kent) of Medicine Hat; Joan Staples (Ken) of Lac La Biche; and Donna Alexander (Blaine) of Sherwood Park. Marguerite was predeceased by her daughter Arlene (five years) and her sons Thomas and Brian.