Carmella Marie Vienneau

BELOVED DAUGHTER, SISTER, AUNT, AND FRIEND

It is with great sadness that we, the family of Carmella Vienneau, announce her passing on 08 September 2023 at Lakeshore General Hospital in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, following a lengthy and courageous battle with throat cancer and its associated complications.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Arthur Prudent Vienneau and Therese Doucet; her sister, Anna Vienneau Grant; and her nephew, Alain Vienneau Baird. She is survived by her siblings and their respective spouses/partners: Arthur (Annette Doucet), Gilbert (Murielle Hachey), Rita (Gary Willett), and Diane (Yvon Beaulieu). She also leaves behind her nieces, and nephews; along with their spouses/partners: Kathy Grant Hill (Brian), Eileen Grant (Keith Dalley), Stephen Grant (Suzanne Comeau), Jason Grant (Janine Daigle), Tracy Grant, Michelle Grant Groundwater (Tommy), Stephane Pitre, Rolland Vienneau (Andrea), Rachel Vienneau Doucet (Luc), and Andre Vienneau (Louiselle). Carmella is also survived by all her grandnieces and grandnephews; her longtime companion, Mike Roll; her close, loyal friend, Fran Brett, and a circle of loving friends and acquaintances.

Carmella was born in Bathurst, N.B. on 23 May 1956, but grew up in the neighbouring community of Saint Anne. As a girl growing up in the 60s and 70s, Carmella enjoyed playing with dolls; exploring the woods; going on walks with her family’s dogs, Skippy and Lassie; and going fishing with her father. As a teenager, she gravitated towards reading romance novels and magazines, listening to Tony Orlando and Linda Ronstadt songs, and browsing through beauty magazines and catalogues. She liked emulating the fashions and hairstyles depicted in them and fancied herself quite a fashionista. At the time, she preferred wearing her dark brown hair long and straight, just like Cher did. After graduating from Bathurst High School, she went on to hold secretarial positions in the Bathurst area before relocating to Quebec. Pierrefonds is where she resided for the past 30+ years, but she always considered Bathurst her home and often longed for her familial roots.

Although fiercely independent and private, Carmella was simultaneously possessed an indomitable spirit. She was vivacious with a loud, uninhibited and infectious laugh. She was feisty, determined, and opinionated- which often belied her diminutive stature. Truthfully, she was often a force to be reckoned with.  However, she endeared herself to almost everyone she met, and ingratiated herself into others’ hearts and lives. During her time as an administrative assistant at the Pierrefonds Medical Centre, she always greeted the clinic’s patients with a warm welcome and a wide smile; often going out of her way to ensure that everyone was appropriately scheduled for their appointments and had the referrals to the specialists they needed to see. She often told family members that her job meant everything to her and that helping “her” patients brought her a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment. She deemed it her calling and purpose in life to help everyone who came to the clinic, and her efforts reflected that commitment.

When she wasn’t socializing with her friends or working, she would often spend her time gardening. She especially liked tending to flowers and receiving them as gifts. She loved sitting on her balcony with her constant furry feline companion, Mika. He was always by her side, snuggling with her while she reveled in the quiet pleasure of the sun shining on her face. She loved the outdoors and felt great peace while communing with nature. Other things she loved were butterflies, lady bugs, collecting knick-knacks and she adored the colour red. Also, she never outgrew her love of clothes, make-up, and costume jewelry. She just really derived much joy from the beautiful, simple things in life.

The family would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and extended staff at Jewish General Hospital and Lakeshore General Hospital who rendered care in Carmella’s behalf during her long illness. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Mike Roll and Fran Brett for the immeasurable love, support, and assistance they provided to Carmella during her prolonged battle with an unforgiving, unrelenting disease.

Carmella’s ashes will be transported from Montreal to Bathurst, where her remains will be interred with her parents and sister, Anna, at the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery. An intimate Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date.

Carmella, we love you and you will always be in our hearts and minds. Thank you for your love and for the indelible impact you had on our lives. Our fond memories of you will sustain us through our sorrow and grief. Rest in peace, Carm. You’re with the angels now.