Mrs. Marie Venne

March 2, 1909 – July 13, 2015

Peacefully in her sleep at the Perley and Rideau Veteran's Health Centre at the age of 106. Survived by her son Edgar who also resides at the PRVHC; her sister Lilly Bergeron Craig; her nieces Georgie Coleman Bracken, Joanne Coleman Harris, Wendy Bergeron Walford Kerr, Donna Bergeron Cousineau Gaudreau; her nephews Eddie Coleman, Danny Coleman and their families. Marie was predeceased by her husband Emmett (1968) and her brothers Edgar (1959) and Charlie (1988).

Marie was born in New York City, the eldest daughter of Lily St. George (1963) and Edgar Coleman (1940) of Ottawa, Ontario. Her early childhood was spent on a homestead in Piché, SK and in Saskatoon. As a long-time resident of Aylmer, Québec, Marie was very active in tennis and competitive swimming. She was the founding president of the Merrymakers Bowling Club and a graduate of Henry’s Business College in Ottawa.

Marie married Emmett Venne in 1934 in St. Paul's Church, Aylmer. Emmett was goaltender for the Seattle Seahawks of the Western Hockey League where they lived until their return to Aylmer. They both worked for the Federal government. Marie was secretary to many outstanding parliamentarians including Arthur Maloney, Lionel Conacher and James A. Jerome. She was a world traveller. After retirement at age 65, she spent her summers at Black Bay on the Ottawa River and winters were spent in Florida.

Thank you to the staff of Amica Blackburn Hamlet, Home Instead Senior Care and the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre for the care they provided and the kindness shown to Marie. A very special thank you to all those who visited, phoned or wrote to Marie. No visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday July 18, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's the Evangelist Church, 160, Principale St., Gatineau, Qc (Aylmer sector). Family will receive condolences following the mass. The Catholic Women's Guild will serve refreshments. Burial in the Coleman-Venne family plot, St. Paul's cemetery, Aylmer Road. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Racine, Robert and Gauthier Beauchamp. Tributes and condolences at racinerobertgauthier.ca In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CNIB or a charity of your choice.