With much sorrow we announce that on July 13, 2018 at age of 90 years, Germaine Denise Marie Bruneau (nee Fontaine) passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

 

Germaine was born in Ste. Agathe, Manitoba on September 7, 1927 at 7:00 am (as she always like to add).

 

Germaine is predeceased by her husband Leo (2003), and her son Denis (2012), her father Arthur and mother Clotilde, her three brothers Raymond Fontaine, Lucien Fontaine, and Lionel Fontaine, and her sister Marie-Jeanne Tellier.

 

She is survived by her daughter Doris (Jim) Salt and son Richard, granddaughter Lynne (Frank) Robson, grandsons Sean, Michael, Nicholas, Joel, and great grandson Donavin. She will be missed by her four sisters Agnes Joyal, Eva Berthelette, Irene Meilleur and Alice L’Heureux and sister in law Laurette Fontaine and her many nieces and nephews.

 

Germaine, described herself as a bit of a devil. Her husband, Leo often called her “Fussybete”, because of her meticulous nature. Everything had to be “just so”. Her mashed potatoes, for example, could have no lumps and the green onion was cut perfectly. One of her granddaughter’s fondest memories is of Memere standing with a large pot of those potatoes, heaping spoonfuls on everyone’s plates and chanting “no leftovers”, her rally cry at all family meals.

 

To that end Germaine was a marvel in the kitchen. She loved to make soups and bake from scratch which she would happily share with everyone that crossed her door. Her sucre a crème was by far her main claim to fame and should have been patented. Only a sacred few have her original recipe and the technique to make it perfect every time forged of many batches made together with Memere.

 

Germaine worked for many years at the Eaton’s Mail Order department. This gave her access to the World Famous Eaton’s Red Velvet Cake. This was, and continues to be, the family birthday cake. It was always ordered with double icing. In later years, Germaine would bake those same red velvet birthday cakes for the family, double icing of course.

 

Germaine and Leo were married on May 15, 1946 and together they saw the world. In their retirement they became snowbirds and wintered for many season in Texas. Later Gerry would often travel south by bus tour to “gamble” as she called it. Sometime lucky, sometimes not she never lost her sense of adventure and the joy of spending time with her many friends. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure to be part of her circle.

 

We are very grateful for the loving care from the staff at Riverview Health Center.

 

At Mom’s request, cremation has taken place and a private family internment will take place.

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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Winnipeg Humane Society.