Obituary of Rolande St. Laurent (née Vandal)

A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.  

It is with loving memory and great sadness that we announce that Rolande St. Laurent passed away peacefully at St Boniface Hospital on February 24th, 2021 with her two daughters and her son by her side.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children Rachelle (Noël), Lise (Hubert) and Gérald (Jason). She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren Eric (Demi), Alain (Sylvie), Patrick, Josée, Miguel, Stéphane, Natalie, Julia and Benjamin.  She considered herself blessed to have two great grandchildren Renelle and Dominic who may not yet know but will be reminded how much she loved them.  She also leaves to cherish her memory her sister Aurise Andre (Roger), her three brothers Andre Vandal (Olive), Robert Vandal (Carol) and Maurice Vandal (Annette) as well as Renée St-Laurent, her in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many friends.  Rolande was pre-deceased by her husband René, her parents Joseph (Bill) and Eleonore Vandal and her sister Marie-Paule Courcelles. 

Rolande took great pleasure in socializing with family and friends, enjoying music and dancing.  She was the very image of life as shown by her golfing, walking and having enjoyable nights playing VLT’s, cribbage and canasta. She always enjoyed camping and fishing with René and as well her later fishing trips with Marcel and Eva, and she looked forward to her weekly lunch dates with friends and her sisters in law.  Rolande shared a special bond with her sister Aurise, enjoying many suppers and evenings together - they were a true picture of sisterly love.  Most importantly, Rolande had a deep love for her family, always supporting her children and grandchildren in their varied and numerous accomplishments. She enjoyed watching family sporting events and was known for her competitive edge that was best shown during the family washer’s and crokinole tournaments. 

Rolande met many people and demonstrated various talents, working at restaurants and the Raber Glove factory before she went on to care for her grandchildren at home. She later joined her husband as a courier driver and owner-operator with Labroquerie Transfer.  In her early 50’s, Rolande made her family proud when she went on and completed a course to become a healthcare aid and became subsequently employed at the Villa Youville in Ste. Anne.

Mom truly lived her life to the fullest and her joie de vivre was admired by many.  During this difficult time, we are comforted in knowing that our mom is rejoined with dad, sitting by a fire together, drinking a beer, listening to Gérald’s music and enjoying a dance.  The love they shared with each other will live on in their children and grandchildren as they taught us everything we know about how to be a family. 

The family would like to express their appreciation to Soeur Rioux, Dr. David Robinson and Dr. Claudio Rigatto for their care and compassion.  We would also like to express our sincere thanks to her long-time doctor Chantal Frechette who was more than just her doctor, but also a dear friend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rolande to the Ste. Anne Hospital Fund.   

A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.  

Rest in peace Mom, your loving smile and courageous heart will be missed by many…