Micheline Leduc Wormell

Micheline was born on 29 June 1946 in Montreal. She was the first child of Henri and Helen Leduc (Beland). Henri was Quebecois, one of 3 boys. Helen was one of 5 children and was originally from Flint, Michigan. A brother Raymond was born in 1949 (died 1999). She married her husband Geofrey Wormell in May 1979. Unfortunately the couple were never successful in having children.

Micheline was educated in Montreal at St. Dominick‘s school and completed high school at Holy Names Convent in 1963. She enrolled in the CEGEP post-secondary adult education program in 1986 and received her DEC college diploma in 1989.

From a young age Micheline was fascinated with books, the stories they contained, and as she grew, particularly with history. She was a woman that related strongly to people and society, so learning about the individuals, relationships, and intrigue that surrounded influential persons and groups was something in which she found unending pleasure. She loved libraries was an avid supporter of the Beaconsfield library and for many years volunteered her services there.

Micheline developed a great sympathy for those who were less fortunate than she, victims of natural disasters, oppression, national and international conflict, poverty, and discrimination. She donated generously to international relief organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and her personal favorite, Doctors without Borders.

Micheline worked for a short time after high school graduation for Bell Canada in Montreal. After that she spent several years teaching grade 2 boys at St Thomas à Beckett school, also in Montreal

In the early 1970’s she saw an advertisement for a winter job involving sun, warmth, and palm trees. She applied and shortly after found herself stationed at a resort on Grand Bahama Island. She never forgot the turquoise colour of the water and the beauty of the sand and coral. Micheline spent one winter in the Bahamas, a second on St Lucia, and she completed her career as a destination coordinator living in Acapulco, Mexico over 2 further seasons.

After completing her college education Micheline worked part time with the Women’s Institute at John Abbott College organizing educational programs and activities for ladies residing in rural locations. At the same time she was providing clerical and business services from home to several self-employed engineers. She always said “I just don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”.

She began working with her investment advisor’s company (today affiliated with Peak Investments) in 1996 and quickly realized that she had found her niche, since working with people, and dealing with a variety of clients was what she enjoyed best. She successfully completed the Canadian Investment Advisor Training programme and continued working at the investment office for 15 years, retiring in 2011

Micheline was always attracted to handicraft work, particularly needlepoint. crochet, knitting (which she found most relaxing), and beadwork, and loved the feel of fine threads and fabrics. She was active with several groups, both formal and informal, and a member of the West Island Stitchery Guild. She attended spring instructional programs organized by the guild in Halifax, Winnipeg, and Vancouver as well as a specialty Japanese Beading program offered in Atlanta.

She and her husband enjoyed their summer cottage at Lac Chaud, QC, and spent many happy summers and some winter holiday weeks there over the years. Micheline loved the peace of the lake and spent many morning hours in her canoe just cruising. Numerous dinner parties, bar-be-ques, campfires, and the occasional moonlight swim were all part of a summer’s enjoyment. The couple also later enjoyed summer touring with a small sports car when they were not at Lac Chaud

Micheline and Geoff took a Caribbean island cruise shortly after her mother’s death in2014, having previously enjoyed the Norwegian coastal cruise in 2004. The following year they cruised from Rio to Florida, Micheline having dunked her toes at Copacabana Beach. In fact sadly, it was in March 2016 in Los Angeles just before a planned Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles to Miami that Micheline started showing signs of a health problem and the trip had to be abandoned

Montreal doctors diagnosed a stage 4 rectal tumour which had also invaded her lower spine and which radiation and chemotherapy were unsuccessful in limiting. Micheline remained at home for the most part while receiving treatment but in early November she was re-admitted to hospital where she spent 3 weeks before being moved to the West Island Palliative Residence, where she received outstanding care and attention by the very dedicated staff, but by that stage the end was inevitable. She passed away quietly at 9 AM on Saturday, December 10. Geoff, her husband, life friend, and lover was with her when she took her last breath.

At last the suffering and pain she never deserved was at an end, and she is at eternal peace.

A service of remembrance for Micheline will be held at the Collins Clarke MacGillivray White funeral home in Pointe Claire, Quebec on Wednesday 28 December commencing at 4 PM with a visitation among family and friends. The remembrance service will start at 5 PM, and will be followed by an informal reception. All activities will be at the Collins Clarke facility.

The family is grateful for the care and attention given by the oncology team at the Lakeshore General Hospital, CLSC Pointe Claire, NOVA West Island, and the West Island Palliative Residence.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to NOVA West Island or the West Island Palliative Residence.