Leanne Frechette (nee Borgfjord)
Obituary
After a short, but courageous battle with cancer, Leanne, our cherished daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away surrounded by the love of family and friends.
She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Rene of 25 years; her children, Aaron (Chelsea) and Alyssa (Daniel); her parents, Axel and Doreen; her brothers, Dana (Heather) and Brett; her in-laws, Gilles (Marion), Suzanne, and Jacques (Linda); her nieces and nephews, Kris (Allison), Michael (Sharlene), Brian, Melanie (Neil), Keri, Kristjan, Lauren, and Quinn; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents-in-law, Germain and Helene Frechette, and her brother-in-law, Ron.
Leanne was born and raised in Transcona by her loving parents, with whom she shared a close and cherished bond throughout her life. Her wonderful childhood reflected that deep connection, one that remained strong and steadfast over the years.
In her twenties, while working at Superior Cable, she met René, her “hunky, super-cute, Frenchman,” who quickly stole her heart. He led her to St. Pierre, where they built a life filled with love, laughter, and a little French redneck charm.
Leanne’s greatest joy was her family. She first welcomed her son Aaron, who later shared in her memorable wedding day, complete with a red balloon tied to him, so he could always be spotted in the crowd. Soon after, she was blessed with her daughter Alyssa, her spirited red-headed bundle of sass, who kept her on her toes, and filled their home with energy and laughter.
Once her children reached school age, Leanne chose to work as an Educational Assistant at Mitchell Middle School, so she could continue spending weekends and holidays with them. Later, when Leanne transferred to Mitchell Elementary School, she introduced herself with her trademark humour: “Hi, my name is Leanne, and I am bossy!” It didn’t take long for the staff to adore her, forming friendships that would last a lifetime. Known fondly as the “fridge cleaner,” and the master of the lost and found, she brought organization, laughter, and heart to the school. She had a special way of connecting with the children she worked with, her kindness, patience, and sense of humour, left a lasting impression on her students and colleagues.
Leanne cherished her time with family and embraced every stage of their adventures together, from early days camping in a pop-up trailer, to glamping in their fifth wheel. In time, they found their favorite places: Dana and Heather’s cabin in Kenora and the cabin they built in Menisino. She especially loved her pontoon boat, spending countless peaceful hours floating across lakes and rivers with family and friends. Leanne was also a sneaky “bird nerd,” a family trait, patiently watching her feeder in hopes of spotting her favourite red cardinal, though her three cats added an element of difficulty to the hobby.
Although Leanne’s battle with cancer was brief, she faced it with remarkable grace, strength and positivity. The deep connections she formed throughout her life became especially evident in her final days, as so many came to visit, offering their love and support. Each visit meant the world to her, she truly appreciated the time she shared with everyone who came to see her.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of her doctors and nurses for their compassion and exceptional care, with special appreciation to the team at St. Pierre Hospital Palliative Care.
A special thank you to Angie and Crystal, who spent countless hours with Leanne and René, ensuring she was comfortable and surrounded with warmth and support.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel Co-op. A private interment will take place at a later date.
A Challenge for Life Walk, in support of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, will be held on June 13th at Assiniboine Park. A team has been created in her honour.
