November 23, 1933 ~ April 25, 2018
Remy Vaillancourt was a special person to many people. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.
Remy was born in the small town of Jaro located on the island of Leyte in the Philippines. She was the daughter of Juan and Victorina Go and the youngest of a large family. She had two sisters Juanita and Emelia, she also had 8 half sisters, Ebay, Unday, Sayong, Irene, Cresing, Esing, Estay and Caring. As a child and through high school she went to a Catholic boarding school in Tacloban but always returned home to the family on weekends.
As a young girl, Remy had a number of interests. She learned to play the piano at an early age. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. However, to Remy, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.
In 1955, she passed her board exams and was a certified and practicing pharmacist in the Philippines. After graduating from university in the Philippines she travelled around the world with her close friend and half niece Therisita. Her exploring led her to continue her education in the United States where studied at St. Anthony's Hospital School in Rockford, Illinois and obtained a diploma in Medical Technology in 1958. She also passed the American Society of Clinical Pathologists board exam for Registered Medical Technologist in 1958. Through career opportunities she attained a job at Toronto General Hospital later transferring to St. Michaels. During this time she met and fell in love with Lawrence and after a year of courtship they were married at Holy Family Catholic Church in Toronto. She then moved to Oshawa with Lawrence and they began their life together.
In 1969 they gave birth to their daughter Vickie Ann and five years later they adopted their daughter Andrea Lee. At this time, Remy decided to stay at home with her children and husband. Vickie moved to Vancouver British Columbia in 1995. In July 2002 Andrea was married to Kyle O’Donnell. After her children left home to fill the void she became a dog lover and was the proud owner of her two Yorkshire terriers Zoe and Sisco. She often stated that they helped to make her a better person by showing her patience and compassion. In August 2004 Remy was blessed with her first grandson Callum and in 2006 her granddaughter Allie was welcomed into the world. Remy adored her beloved grandchildren.
In their retirement years they were able to travel throughout Canada and the United States and in 2005 returned to the Philippines for one last visit with her beloved sisters and extended family. Remy enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favourite vacations included various family ski vacations, Disney World, Florida, Las Vegas, Alaskan Cruise, a road trip across East Coast and then journeyed home through the New England States and a road trip across the West of Canada and back home through the Western States.
When she was physically able she enjoyed going for walks, gardening and skiing. Her cooking was enjoyed by many and she will always be remembered for her famous egg rolls, pansit and chicken wings. Although she taught her daughters her secrets they just aren’t able to duplicate her magic touch.
Remy was a devout Catholic. She was a member at various Catholic Churches in Oshawa such as St. Gregory, St. Mary's and finally at St. Joseph of the Worker Parish. She regularly attended mass at St. Joseph’s up until both her and her husband became ill and couldn’t drive. However, she made sure to watch Sunday mass every week on T.V. She took an active role in her community, as she would often volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society and canvassed around the neighborhood for donations.
Remy spent her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favourite pursuits were skiing with the family every weekend in the winter and occasionally fishing (when they were biting) in the summer. Remy loved playing cards especially Euchre and Gin Rummy. She was happy to meet up with friends for lunch to discuss the latest happenings in their lives. Remy was also content to spend her spare time curling up with a good book.
Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew. While growing up, some of her best friends were her sisters and Therisita (half niece). She had so many dear friends throughout her lifetime; it's hard to name them all.
Remy worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her chosen career. Her primary occupation was a pharmacist and later a Medical Lab Technologist and finally a Homemaker. She was employed at Toronto General Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital for 7 years and Oshawa General Hospital for two years. Remy was happy with her choice to stay home and care for her family. Her daughters feel blessed that she was always present during their childhood. They are grateful for the life lessons she taught them over the years.
Remy was a strong little lady who was small in stature but mighty in spirit. Over the years she battled a variety of illnesses. She was a breast cancer survivor twice, was diagnosed with a heart condition in 1993 which hospitalized her for a month and would continue to challenge her over the years, her eye site was diminishing due to Glaucoma, In 2010 she took a fall and broke her hip which reduced her to a life to a walker. Yet throughout all these hardships her faith never faltered. She made sure to remind her children to go to church and pray each night. These last few months were quite difficult and proved to be more then she could handle.
Remy passed away on April 25, 2018 peacefully at home with her loving husband by her side. She is survived by her husband of 51 years Lawrence, her two daughters Vickie and Andrea, son-in-law Kyle and beloved grandchildren Callum and Allie. Services were held at St. Joseph's the worker Parish. Remy was laid to rest in Thornton Cemetery in Oshawa. Remy leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Remy Vaillancourt and her famous egg rolls.
She will forever be in our hearts.
Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Tuesday, May 1st from 5 – 8 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH, 1100 Mary Street North, Oshawa, Ontario on Wednesday, May 2nd at 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted to Lakeridge Health Foundation- Cancer Care. Online condolences may be made at www.oshawafuneralhome.com
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