It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother Noëlla Marie Alexandrine Fréchette (née Laplante) on December 28th, 2021, at the age of 95.
Lovingly named Noëlla (for Christmas), the matriarch of our family was born during the season of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy on December 21,1926. Noëlla passed peacefully surrounded by family on December 28th, 2021. Her pre deceased family members including her parents, Bruneau and Hélène Laplante (née Hunneault), her husband Romuald (aka René) Fréchette, her sisters, Denise and Yvette as well as her granddaughter, Stéphanie Rhodes and son-in-law Roland Dufresne were no doubt eagerly waiting to greet her as she returned home to everlasting peace and comfort.
In true French Canadian Catholic tradition, Noëlla gave birth to 8 children; Robert (Donna) Fréchette, Monique (Roland) Dufresne, Joyce (David) Johnson, Guy (Louise & former spouse Vivianne Ouellette) Fréchette, Joanne Fréchette, Denise (Daniel) Selin, Denis Fréchette and Marc (Emily) Fréchette.
Noёlla lived a long, full life and experienced much joy as well as struggle as she was widowed at an early age after her husband’s return from fighting in France in WWII. Noëlla loved to go out dancing at the Golden Age Club, the Legion and chat with friends old and new. She always had music playing in her house all day, every day. Noëlla developed close friendships with the sisters of the Saint Joseph Mother House attending mass and having weekly suppers with her good friends there.
Noёlla however is best known for all the love and care she provided before school, after school and on days her grandchildren were too sick to go to school. While she also provided care for many neighbourhood children including her own family, she holds a very special spot in the hearts of her many grandchildren: Robert (Ellyn) Fréchette, Brian (Vaune) Fréchette, Jamie Rivet, Kristi-Ann Johnson-McKay, Tania (Dion) Fréchette, Scott Johnson, Jean-Guy (Jai) Fréchette, Stéphanie (Matt) Rhodes, Christina (Greg) Jacobson, Emily Riley, Zachary (Alicja) Johnson, Meghan Fréchette, Natasha Selin and Josh Selin.
Her “joie de vivre” lives on in her many great grandchildren: Garrett, Benjamin, Maxson, Neysa, Kamilla, Kyller, Alexander, Ashton, Stella, Nora, Josée, Noah, Tristan and Noah.
Cremation has taken place and a funeral mass will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in North Bay, Ontario on Monday March 14, 2022 at 11am. Interment will be held at St Mary’s Cemetery alongside her husband.
Memorial donations may be made to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto Ontario. Online condolences may be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com
Maman, de toi, nous avons beaucoup appris de ton courage et de ton humilité. Nous ne t’oublierons jamais et t’aimons à l’infini