Fernande D.M. Leduc

Fern was the third child born to Eloi and Almira (nee BOISJOLI) PICHE on June 10, 1920 at the family farm near Gravelbourg, Sask. When she was older, she moved with her family to a farm in the Cadillac district but the Thirties proved to be a difficult time and they returned to Gravelbourg. She strongly believed in education and worked at various jobs to finance her schooling obtaining her high school diploma in 1941. She attended Normal School in Moose Jaw for a year then accepted a teaching position at Joeville School west of Lisieux where she taught for two years. She then moved to Montcalm School southeast of Assiniboia where she met Simon LEDUC. They were married in Gravelbourg on December 26, 1946. They moved to the family farm where they raised three children, Gerry (1948), Eloise (1949) and Kim (1956).

Fern loved to keep busy whether she was homemaking, working or volunteering. She was an excellent seamstress sewing many of the children’s clothes and even something as extravagant as evening gowns for herself when she and Simon attended Knight of Columbus functions. She became a 4-H leader during the years the club was situated in Maxstone.

She joined the Catholic Women’s League in 1957 and held various council positions including two separate terms as president. Later in life, she became interested in pastoral care and gave communion to shut-ins for a number of years.

She enjoyed people and there always seemed to be a reason to get together with friends and neighbours to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. Her home was very welcoming. Extended family were always encouraged to visit. She routinely hosted a large Thanksgiving meal for the Piche’s. When her mother was widowed, Fern took her in and cared for her for a number of years. She had a special relationship with her grandchildren and they could count on her for an after-school snack, a hot meal or a place to sleep if they were doing extra-curricular activities.

After her own children were grown, Fern decided to go back to work taking a dietician’s course and becoming a cook at the hospital, a position she kept until she retired in 1985.

She was an avid traveller accompanying Simon to Mexico, South America and the Maritimes and after becoming widowed travelling with friends to Australia, Japan and Europe. Fern also enjoyed bowling for years in many different leagues including mixed, housewives and golden age.

She moved to town in 1979 and enjoyed close friendships with her neighbours. When the house and yard become too difficult to manage she moved to Eastside Court and when her health started to fail, she moved to the Prairie Villa.

Fern is survived by her son, Kim, daughter-in-law, Carla and children Levi, Candace (Mike) and Christopher; daughter-in-law, Rina and children, Shara (Kurt) GILLETT, Renee and Brady; and son-in-law, Phil BRIDGES; sisters, Helen KOWALSKI and Lauriette ST. CYR and brothers, Norman and Julien. Fern was predeceased by her parents, Eloi and Almira; husband, Simon, daughter, Eloise and son, Gerry; brothers, Laurier and Marcel; sisters, Lucille NOBERT and Biane DUBORD.