Also known as “The Crazy Raccoon Lady”, Greta was born July 2nd, 1930, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada to Adalard Deschenes and Esther Cormier. She passed, somewhat unexpectedly, on May 22, 2021.
Greta lived the first 21 years of her life in Grand Falls. She met Donald Michel in the church basement (bingo) where they would marry when she turned 21. Don was in the US Air Force when they met and married. They had 9 years of adventures and moving around in the AF to include Loring (Maine) and Keesler (Mississippi) before welcoming daughter, Donna, who was also born in Grand Falls in May 1961.
A few years later the family moved to Florida to live off-base from Homestead Air Force base in Miami-Dade County. Don was sent to Vietnam during this time, so Greta and Donna spent a lot of time together. A few years later the family moved to Lowry Air Force base in Denver, CO. Lowry would be their last base as Don had spent over 20 years in the AF and could now retire. So, everyone moved to Pine Valley in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Greta and Don started their civilian lives with Donna. Don started working for Magnavox and they became active in golfing, and both belonged to leagues at Pine Valley Country Club. They belonged to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for all the years they lived in Indiana. Greta worked for Sears for awhile then worked in bookkeeping for an accountant until they retired again. By this time, Donna had moved away, became a registered nurse and married Russell Dow.
So, with no ties to stay in Indiana they started the next chapter in Homosassa Florida and settled in the Sugar Mill Woods area. They both loved playing golf and belonged to both Seven Rivers and Southern Woods Country Clubs. They both enjoyed golfing and socializing. Greta also belonged to a chapter of The Red Hat Society which provided her with much socializing and friendship. I suspect this was a good getaway for her while Don would be out fishing in his boat – an activity, she didn’t really enjoy. She was also a magnificent knitter, bridge player, and savior to many generations of raccoons and squirrels who lived in the green belt behind their house. Many hours were spent watching their comings and goings and tons of bags of dog food were also consumed.
A favorite memory I have is of our yearly trips with Dad driving from – wherever we were living at the time – to Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada to visit with Moms’ family. I don’t remember if we were going to or coming back from Canada on this particular trip but when entering or leaving Canada from the United States one must drive through Customs. Sometimes Dad would get a little chatty with the border person (nerves….guilt?). On this occasion, chatty-Don let it slip that Donna was adopted – from Canada. (Whyyyyyyy Dad….) No, they did not have the paperwork with them to back this claim up.
Let me go back to say that we always traveled with our pets. (Why? Who knows?) On this occasion, it included 2 dogs, a hamster and a parakeet. We did have papers for the dogs but not for the bird and hamster….or me. Therefore, a few miles from the border we would stop the car and break down the cages to put in the trunk. The hamster was stuffed into my shirt as I pretended to be asleep in the back seat and mom had the parakeet stuffed into her blouse.
So, with Dad giving too much information (my being adopted from Canada) they were asked to step out of the car, and I was “awakened” to answer some questions about my parentage while remaining inside the car. As Mom exited the car she crossed her arms, as if she were chilly, to keep the bird hidden and secured inside of her blouse. She later told us, that it was biting her and carrying on by trying to flap its wings during their interrogation. Unfortunately for Mom, Dad continued his chattiness with the border patrol many (unnecessary) minutes after the Border Patrolman was satisfied that I was not being kidnapped. Not being one to pick up on facial cues , Dad failed to recognize the desperation and agitation on Moms’ face.
Meanwhile, the hamster followed the birds’ example and became restless in my shirt. At least, I had a blanket covering me - as I laid across the back seat - which helped me conceal my little friend. Eventually, we were waved on our merry way and Dad learned a valuable lesson – “Don’t give unasked for information to the Border Patrol!”
Greta is survived in death by daughter, Donna Michel-Dow and son-in-law Russell Dow and grandchildren Grace Dow – 21 and Joy Dow – 12 of Erie, CO; Brother Melvin Deschenes of Quebec, Canada; Nephew Denis Deschenes (Laurie) of Texas; Nephew Claude Deschenes of Quebec, Canada; Nephew Michel Deschenes of Quebec, Canada; Brother-in-law Gil Page of Edmundston, Canada; Niece Andree Jalbert (Yves) of Edmundston, Canada; Sister-in-law Simone Deschenes of New Brunswick, Canada; Niece, Lisa Deschenes (Romeo Beaulieu) of New Brunswick, Canada.
She is preceded in death by her parents Adalard and Esther (Cormier) Deschenes; Reid Deschenes (brother who died in infancy); brother Wallace Deschenes (Simone); sister Louella Page (Gil); nephew Paul Page and niece Carol Deschenes and nephew Francois Deschenes. I am sure Mom and Dad are enjoying heavenly tee times and are always under par. RIP until we see you all again.
A Catholic Prayer Service will be held at Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida on Mon., Aug. 9, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. with Fr. Glenn Diaz of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church of Homosassa officiating. Interment will be private. www.wilderfuneral.com
