Monique (Menard) Dawkes

Monique Dawkes (nee Menard) died peacefully with her family by her side on May 27th, 2022 shortly after her 83rd birthday. She was born and raised in St Jean sur Richelieu, QC and was educated by the religious sisters in Farnham QC, whose formation and instruction she always praised and valued. Monique was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family, attended mass regularly and said the rosary each night after supper with her parents, siblings and friends who would drop by. She was a Eucharistic minister at St Pius X parish in Long Sault, then later served in this capacity at St Peter’s church in Cornwall. Monique was a woman ahead of her time, raising a family and working full time successfully as the Chief Operating Officer of several companies in Montreal. Even with all her responsibility at work, her family always came first and she never hesitated to leave work on a moment’s notice if her children were sick or needed her help. She was the chauffeur of the family as their late father never drove, and she was present to cheer loudly at all her children’s school, extra-curricular and sporting events.

Monique lovingly chose to retire early from her career, to move from Montreal to Long Sault, ON to be there for her grandchildren, Emilie and Michelle, who were her whole world. Once the girls were more

independent teenagers, their Nana devoted many volunteer hours as the Regional Organizer of the Ontario Senior Games where she enjoyed organizing the provincial Games and playing pickle ball at the events. In her youth she had been an avid tennis player. Monique is predeceased by her husband Victor Samuel Dawkes who passed away at the beginning of the pandemic on April 11, 2020. She is also predeceased by her parents, Estelle Menard (Choquette) and Armand Menard, and by her brother, Guy Menard. Left mourning are her son Victor Armand Dawkes (Dr. Andrea Hannan-Dawkes); her daughter, Helen Dawkes-Brown (James M. Brown) and her grand daughters Emilie Brown, Michelle Brown, Rachel Hannan Roberts (Donny) and Alexandra Hannan. Also left to mourn are her sisters Ruth Menard Dextraze (Maurice Dextraze) and Aurelie Wall (late Charles Wall). Monique also leaves behind her very special life long friends - Joyce Lalonde, Michelle Hooper and Monique Riley. Monique spent the last years of her life most comfortably at Woodland Villa, Long Sault, ON where, despite advancing dementia, she always knew exactly where the chocolate bars were at the tuck shop, earning her the

nick name, ‘Madame Chocolate Bar’. Staff at the residence treated her with such love and respect and she was often found sitting in the various offces in the building where she seemed the most comfortable, possibly recalling her own many days in such chairs. Monique always found great joy in following and being present with her favourite Personal Support Workers, Cathy Mackenzie and Karen Brennan who took care of her and her late husband with such love, compassion and humour. Special thanks to Dr. Mary Smar and Dr Melanie Waite who provided excellent medical care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made by cheque or online to Agape Center or Baldwin House in Cornwall,ON where Monique herself often sent support. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday June 25th at 10 am at Our Lady of Grace Church in Ingleside, followed by a reception in the church hall. Immediately after, the family will travel to St Jean sur Richelieu, QC for the interment.