Thérèse (Theresa) Gaudesaboos died Monday June 28th, 2021 at Hôpital de Hull in Gatineau. She was 93. Thérèse was born on March 7th, 1928 in Delft Holland to Belgian parents, Jérome Gaudesaboos (1899-1987) and Marthe Van Landeghem (1904-1993). She was the middle child of 3 children. After living briefly in Holland and then Northern France, her family settled back in Belgium in the small coastal town of Heist. As a child, she enjoyed playing on the beach with her older sister Etiennette during the summer. In school, she learned home economic skills, sewing, darning and cooking as well as learning both official languages in Belgium, Flemish and French. She went through WW-II in occupied Belgium and often spoke of the hardships her family and neighbours had to endure. Her town was liberated by Canadian forces. Her years there formed her character into a purposeful and respectful person. The family decided to emigrate to Canada and, after the lengthy approval process, they sold everything and crossed the Atlantic via Southampton to Halifax, arriving on December 2nd, 1947 with one medium suitcase each. They then embarked on a 3 day train ride to Winnipeg Manitoba where the family would settle and live. Thérèse was 19 and she started her first job working in her uncle Achilles’ bakery (Jeanne’s Bakery). She embraced her new country, her new language, the new music, and was so excited by her first Canadian Christmas with lights and decorations. Her time in the bakery would lead to a lifelong love of baking. She changed jobs a few times and worked at the Royal Alexandra Hotel as an elevator girl and chambermaid. It was during this time that she met her future husband Sylvain Nolette (1929-2000). They married April 24th, 1954, and had 4 children: Jean-Paul (Paul), Louise, Anne-Marie (Annie) and Pauline. As the employment situation was becoming difficult, the family decided to move to Montreal in October 1961. She loved Montreal and everything a big city has to offer. She really enjoyed Expo 67 and working in a card shop on Ste-Catherine street downtown. She loved sewing and needle craft and made numerous items for her daughters and later, granddaughters. She separated and divorced in 1975 and cared for her 4 children, now teenagers, on her own. Thérèse always looked forward and respected but never dwelled on the past. She was a good listener and had an excellent sense of observation. She would pick up if you were sad, troubled or pre-occupied and would have supportive and comforting words for you. She was a hard and smart worker and slept only 4-5 hours most nights. In 1998, she moved to Aylmer Québec to be closer to her children and grand children. During her time in Aylmer, she participated in many group activities and volunteered two half days a week, up until COVID, at ‘La Renaissance’. She spoke of this as her job and a life saver. Her fondest memories included the younger years of her children, which she described as tiring but the ‘best’; her time with her grandchildren, where she could spend quality time with them; her 2 trips back to Belgium with her daughters to visit her 100 y/o aunt; her trips to Jamaica and Florida with her children. Always looking forward, she received an iPAD at 86 years old. And even though she had never worked with a computer or keyboard in her entire life, she determinedly learned how to use it and share in family emails, pictures and such. She always loved nature documentaries. She will be remembered by many of us for her love of tea…
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Jérome Gaudesaboos (1899-1987), Marthe Van Landeghem (1904-1993), her older sister Etiennette (1926-1971) and her younger brother Jean (Johnny) (1934-2007).
She is survived by her children Jean-Paul (Lucie Arsenault), Louise (Gary McElheron), Anne-Marie (Annie) (Joseph ‘Peppy’ Furino) and Pauline (Jim Burke). Sister-in-law Patricia Gaudes (Davies); grandchildren Steven McElheron (Janna Bonvie), Robert McElheron (Heather Leah), Angie McElheron (Daniel Jolly), Katherine Furino (John Brock), Christina Furino (Jordan Sanchez), Sandy Furino (Dylan Ritchie), Shawn Burke (Ann Watkins); step grandchildren Gilles Trottier (Nicole Blondeau), Sylvie Trottier; great grandchildren Ryan McElheron, Aaron McElheron, Liam Brock, Via Sanchez.; step great grandchildren Alexandra, Collin, Bryce, McKenna; and step great-great grandson Henry Nicolas
In Therese’s spirit donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
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