Jeannette Irma Champagne (nee Gauthier)

Obituary

Jeannette Irma Champagne (née Gauthier), age 95, of La Broquerie, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, following a short illness with breast cancer.

Born and raised in La Broquerie among ten siblings, Jeannette grew up in a home deep-rooted in the traditions of Manitoba’s French community. In 1951, she married Alfred Pierre Champagne, whom she had met at teaching college, and together they began their life of teaching in small Manitoba communities while welcoming children and gradually making their way west.

Jeannette and Alfred eventually settled in Saskatoon in a neighborhood where a new French Catholic parish, St. Martyrs Canadiens was being constructed. Surrounded by many large and like-minded families, they raised their seven children – Gisèle, Marcel, Guy, Carmen, Richard, Henri, and Louis. Jeannette’s pride in her heritage, her love of reading, and her devotion to education were foundational in rallying friends and community members to fight for and help establish L’École Canadienne-Française de Saskatoon, a contribution that would shape generations of francophone families.

Professionally, Jeannette began her radio career at CFNS, the French-language station in Saskatoon. When the station was acquired by Radio-Canada and relocated to Regina, Jeannette moved with it, working for 20 years at CBKF as a translator—a role that brought her immense pride and purpose.

Creatively, Jeannette found joy in painting and working with pastels, and she was an active volunteer at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina. She and Alfred travelled extensively with her siblings, visiting Europe and wintering in their trailer in the southern United States. These adventures, paired with her artistic pursuits, enriched her life deeply.

In her later years, Jeannette returned to her roots, first in Winnipeg and then in La Broquerie. In Winnipeg, she made a meaningful mark through her charitable work with Centre Flavie Laurent, helping to revive and expand the organization from a small 400-square-foot operation into a much-needed 15,000-square-foot community resource that continues to serve thousands in need with dignity and compassion.

Jeannette spent her final years in La Broquerie, where she welcomed family and friends warmly into her suite at Le Chalet. She remained surrounded by community, faith, and the familiar landscapes of her lifelong home.

She was predeceased by her parents, Elas and Irma Gauthier; her husband Alfred; her son Guy; son-in-law Ralph and six brothers and four sisters.

She is survived by her children Gisèle, Marcel (Kelly), Carmen (Ron), Richard (Gwen), Henri (Lori) and Louis (Jackie), as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She will also be lovingly remembered by her sister Eliane, sisters-in-law Monique and Jean, and dozens of nephews and nieces.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Le Chalet and Villa Youville for the respect, compassion, and love shown to Jeannette. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Paroisse Saint-Joachim in La Broquerie, Manitoba.