Pauline Bisaillon
Pauline slipped away from us, quietly in the end, after a difficult and painful year. In her 94 years she saw hard times and good times. Throughout them all, her strength and infectious good humour touched us all. Raised with her brother Paul (deceased) in St. Henri during the Great Depression by her parents Émile and Delvina, she knew poverty and learned a resourceful self-reliance that served her well throughout her life. She met the love of her life, Maurice Maréchal, and they married in 1948. A short 12 years later in 1960, she was widowed at the age of 36. Picking up the pieces of her life, she returned to school, studying at night while working full-time. Pauline qualified for entrance to Sir George Williams University, and graduated with her B. Comm. In 1967, one of a very few women in her class. Adding certifications in accountancy to her degree, she served at the senior level of financial administration for three Montréal health care institutions: The Douglas Hospital, The Sainte Anne’s Military hospital, and the Montréal Convalescent Hospital. Her professional life introduced her to life-long friendships and afforded her the financial freedom to travel the world. Those were good years, but even in retirement, she did not slow down. At the age of 70 she found a new husband, Bassi Singh Gurdial, and they continued travelling, off to India every Winter for several months visiting Bassi’s extended family; daughters Gouni, Neetu (Sanjay), and grand-daughters Neeti and Saachi. These travels continued for as long as their health permitted. Sadly, after a period of decline, Pauline lost Bassi in 2010. Always resilient in the face of adversity, Pauline made the very best of the last 8 years, and it was only her own diminishing state of health that slowed her down in the end.
Pauline is immediately survived by her nephews Roger, Richard, his spouse Joanne Bobby, and Pauline’s closest friend Catherine Trudeau. Joanne accompanied Pauline everywhere for a great many years. Whether it was for groceries or medical appointments at the other end of the city, Joanne carried the ball for us all. Even when she herself was recovering from injury and while her own mother became increasingly debilitated, Joanne found time to handle all of these tasks. As well, she was our dedicated social director, arranging outings for Pauline that never would have happened without her. For Pauline’s 90th birthday, Joanne arranged a stretch limo ride from home, around town and to the restaurant. Pauline and her guests finished many plates of canapes and two bottles of champagne en route. In recent years, when Joanne’s mother’s health increasingly limited her availability, Richard stepped in for both medical appointments, and the administration of Pauline’s affairs; an easy job as her books were always correct to the penny! Dear Lise, friends since the Douglas, for her visits and casseroles over the years. Joe Frenetti, went far beyond his role as caretaker for Pauline’s condo. Whenever there was an emergency of any kind and we were not nearby, Joe stepped in. Dearest Catherine was inseparable from Pauline to the very end, visiting her in hospital and after placement on a weekly basis. If Pauline was not receiving either the care or respect that was her due, Catherine would immediately set things right. They first met when Pauline and Bassi bought Maxi, their beloved dachshund, and they have stayed best friends ever since. Her love and kindness was the greatest measure of her friendship, and for this we will always be grateful. Catherine, you are family. Maxi was Pauline’s last ‘life partner’. Even as they were both in weakening health, there was Pauline slipping a cookie in the front end of the dog while jabbing the back end with an insulin injection. That was Pauline; an indominable spirit who simply found her way with style and grace around whatever difficulty life threw at her. She is now re-united with all of those who left her all too soon throughout her life. We wish her peace, but she is probably too busy.
Visitation and a celebration of Pauline’s life will be held at Urgel Bourgie, 6700 Beaubien east, Montreal on Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Those then in attendance are invited to join the family for a celebratory meal in her honour.
Pauline is immediately survived by her nephews Roger, Richard, his spouse Joanne Bobby, and Pauline’s closest friend Catherine Trudeau. Joanne accompanied Pauline everywhere for a great many years. Whether it was for groceries or medical appointments at the other end of the city, Joanne carried the ball for us all. Even when she herself was recovering from injury and while her own mother became increasingly debilitated, Joanne found time to handle all of these tasks. As well, she was our dedicated social director, arranging outings for Pauline that never would have happened without her. For Pauline’s 90th birthday, Joanne arranged a stretch limo ride from home, around town and to the restaurant. Pauline and her guests finished many plates of canapes and two bottles of champagne en route. In recent years, when Joanne’s mother’s health increasingly limited her availability, Richard stepped in for both medical appointments, and the administration of Pauline’s affairs; an easy job as her books were always correct to the penny! Dear Lise, friends since the Douglas, for her visits and casseroles over the years. Joe Frenetti, went far beyond his role as caretaker for Pauline’s condo. Whenever there was an emergency of any kind and we were not nearby, Joe stepped in. Dearest Catherine was inseparable from Pauline to the very end, visiting her in hospital and after placement on a weekly basis. If Pauline was not receiving either the care or respect that was her due, Catherine would immediately set things right. They first met when Pauline and Bassi bought Maxi, their beloved dachshund, and they have stayed best friends ever since. Her love and kindness was the greatest measure of her friendship, and for this we will always be grateful. Catherine, you are family. Maxi was Pauline’s last ‘life partner’. Even as they were both in weakening health, there was Pauline slipping a cookie in the front end of the dog while jabbing the back end with an insulin injection. That was Pauline; an indominable spirit who simply found her way with style and grace around whatever difficulty life threw at her. She is now re-united with all of those who left her all too soon throughout her life. We wish her peace, but she is probably too busy.
Visitation and a celebration of Pauline’s life will be held at Urgel Bourgie, 6700 Beaubien east, Montreal on Saturday, December 1 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. Those then in attendance are invited to join the family for a celebratory meal in her honour.