LEVESQUE, Colleen Nora
Nov 14, 1922 – March 8, 2012
Born in Vancouver BC, Nov. 14 1922, Colleen was the eldest daughter of Amede and Sybil Levesque. Colleen passed away in her sleep on the morning of March 8th 2012 at the age of 89 in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox.
Colleen’s family were hand-loggers living on float camps up and down the West Coast of BC and for a time in Scappoose Oregon in her early childhood. Colleen had a fantastic memory and could recall her experiences with incredibly remarkable detail. She also remembered everyone’s birthdays. A true “people person” she was always giving. Colleen worked on her father’s float camps as a cook then joined the RCAF in 1941 when she was 19 yrs old. She was a hospital diet chef during the war and was stationed in Calgary AB and then in Guelph ON. It was remarked on her discharge papers that she was an exemplary chef. After the war, in 1945 she married Albert Laviolette and they had 7 children together. That marriage lasted 25 years. In 1973 Colleen married Albert Apps, it was a considerably shorter union. She would often say that she preferred to paddle her own canoe! She had an extremely keen sense of humour and took great delight in playing pranks. Colleen continued to work in logging camps up and down the Coast into the early 1980’s. After giving up camp life she worked in care homes or doing respite care for challenged people and the “elderly” well into her 80’s! She loved to work and she loved to cook. Colleen’s sweet nature was a gift to all who knew her. Colleen loved children and took in many official as well as unofficial foster children. She truly believed there was good in everyone. Colleen enjoyed going to the Legion for the meat draw and to talk about old times with her friends. She also enjoyed attending the annual Retired Airwoman’s potluck.
Colleen was predeceased by her eldest daughter Adele Marie Laviolette, on March 7, 1975, and also by her brothers Jean, John and Dan. She leaves behind her 2 sisters Yvonne and Pearl, her 6 children Paul (Judy), Michelle (Ed), Philip, Rene (Delaine), Yvonne (Barry) and Marcel (Glenda) as well as 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren, and 3 more on the way that she’ll be smiling down on! To her offspring, and any other child lucky enough to be in her care, she was known affectionately as Granny Go-Go, or simply Go-Go.
Thanks to the hospital staff who helped us through this difficult time. Also thanks to home care support that were all so wonderful over the last few months providing support and comfort during Colleen’s final months, enabling her to stay at home. A special thank you to Dr. Jack Bryant. Your excellent care and friendship were greatly appreciated.
A memorial service will be held for Colleen at the Courtenay Legion Hall at 1pm on Saturday March 17th 2012. Please join us for her final farewell.