It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Marie Desjardins (née Tourigny) at 96 years of age. She was a much-loved and widely-respected lifelong resident of the New Liskeard area, revered elder in the Francophone community, 50-year choir director at Église Sacré Coeur, and cherished mother and grandmother. She is now reunited in joyful love with her mother Fleurette Pinard Tourigny (1930), her father Arthur Tourigny (1938), her son Raymond (Lefty) Desjardins (1997), and her husband Gérard (Jerry) Desjardins (2004), with Cleo by her side as well as her many brothers and sisters, Roger, Thérèse (Bouley Haskett),  Fernand, Lucille (Paquin), Magella (Leroux),  and Bernard.

Marie is survived by her children Louise Edmunds (Peter), Michel Desjardins (Pierre Désy) and Joanne Desjardins, grandsons Marc Edmunds (Amandeep) and Bernie Edmunds (Myrte), and two grandchildren she sadly never met (the children of her deceased son Raymond), as well as her many beloved nieces and nephews.

After losing her mother tragically when Marie was just three years old, she then lost her father when she was 12. By the time she was 13 years old she was a very independent and hard-working young woman, supporting herself by working as a live-in maid, wrapping butter at Epletts Dairy, and playing music for local dances. Music, singing and dancing provided her with much joy. She was still playing her accordion until very recently. Marie lit up any time she received a compliment but she especially loved being told that she was a good dancer.

Throughout her life she held many leadership roles: Présidente des Filles D’Isabelle, Directrice Diocésaine des Femmes Chrétiennes, Présidente du Club de L’Âge D’Or, et Associée des Sœurs de L’Assomption de la Sainte Vierge.

She established Jerry’s Meat Market with her husband in 1946 and it became a landmark on Whitewood Avenue for 25 years.

Marie was especially proud of completing her High School Diploma at 61 years of age. 

She enjoyed wintering at her condo in Florida and each year looked forward to spending time with her many friends and family. She continued to contribute to her community in many ways, especially musically but always generous with her time. People recognized her on the boardwalk by her beautiful smile and if you were lucky, her warm and loving hugs.

We are very grateful for the love and support provided by her caregivers over her final years.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on September 2nd, 2023 at 11 am at Église Sacré Cœur in New Liskeard. A Celebration of Life will follow in the church hall. For those who are unable to attend the memorial mass, please follow the link below for the facebook live-streaming event.

Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society //cancer.ca/en/ , 55 St. Clair Avenue W., Suite 500, Toronto, ON M4V 2Y7 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation www.heartandstroke.ca/ , 2300 Yonge Street, Suite 1200, Box 2414, Toronto, ON M4P 1E4 .

"Life couldn’t be better. I am very grateful for my life and all of the wonderful people I have known." Marie Desjardins, 2012

https://www.facebook.com/TimiskamingFuneralCoop/live_videos/