Thérèse Marie MacNEIL
(nee CHARBONNEAU)
Born: October 8, 1939 – Died: July 1, 2016
Surrounded by family, Thérèse passed away peacefully at Ian Anderson House hospice in Oakville, Ontario on the morning of July 1st after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Thérèse was a strong, devoted, and passionate individual who was dedicated to her family and friends, to helping others, and to being a pillar of strength for everyone around her.
As the third child in a family of nine siblings, Thérèse was known to all as a loving mother, cherished sister, trusted friend and colleague, and as always “MaTante Thérèse”. She was born in Chelmsford, Ontario to an amazing francophone family “Les Charbonneau” and lived there till she graduated from Chelmsford Valley District High School. She then moved to Sudbury to pursue her life’s work and calling as a nurse. After four years, Thérèse graduated from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in 1967 and (incredibly, for the times) decided to travel to Africa with a Belgian nursing team to work as a nurse in Rwanda for one year. Her courageous decision to go to Africa demonstrated the true essence of who Thérèse was: a powerful and strong woman who would pursue her dream despite any challenges that lay ahead. When Thérèse returned to Canada in 1968, she took a nursing job at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and volunteered at a distress center where she met her future husband John. Over the next 30 years, she worked in Labour and Delivery at Hotel Dieu-Grace Hospital in Windsor and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Guelph, then in the Operating Room at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto before finally settling down at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga (which was only 1 km from home) for the last 15 years of her career.
Thérèse was predeceased by her loving husband of thirty-five years John L. MacNeil (May 11, 2005) of Christmas Island, Nova Scotia, and her parents, Alfred Charbonneau and Marie-Jeanne Roy. She leaves behind her two sons: Terence John MacNeil (Michelle Arzaga) and David Jason MacNeil (Candace Barry), four grandchildren: Joshua, Noah, Emily and Breanna. Thérèse will be missed by her eight brothers and sisters: Laurette (Myles Langevin), Richard (Lorraine Faubert), Suzanne, Cecile (Edgar Melanson), Lionel (predeceased wife Claudette Laurin) (friend Suzanne Stankie), Roger (Diane Lirette), Gerald (Monique Simard), and Diane (Mike Dupont).
Thérèse loved her family, evidenced by her many trips to visit them in Sudbury/Chelmsford area and all over Canada for family events such as birthdays, hockey tournaments and reunions; and for hosting family and friends at her home (“Chez Thérèse”) in Mississauga. She loved taking pictures, scrapbooking and other crafts. Many family members have received MaTante Thérèse’s afghan blankets. She had a special place in her heart for her many cousins, cherished nieces and nephews, and especially her godson Paul Melanson and goddaughter Lianne Charbonneau. Thérèse also enjoyed spending time with her nursing friends from St. Elizabeth School of Nursing and Credit Valley Hospital, along with many members of John’s family including her loving sister-in-law Mary-Rose MacNeil.
Thérèse, you will be loved by your family and friends Now, Always and Forever and we know that we have a new powerhouse guardian angel looking over us in heaven.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 5th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Turner & Porter – Neweduk-Erin Mills Chapel at 1981 Dundas St. West in Mississauga, ON and the Service will be held on Wednesday, July 6th at 11 a.m. with reception to follow at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, 2300 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W., Mississauga, ON. If desired, the family requests that donations be made in honour of Thérèse to the Ian Anderson House (www.ianandersonhouse.com) or the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca