Mrs. Mary Jeanne "Maisie" Sinclair

It is with deepest sadness that the family of Mary Jeanne “Maisie” Sinclair announces her passing at Lake of the Woods District Hospital on Saturday, August 2, 2008, surrounded by her loving family. Maisie is survived by her husband of 65 years Clarence, daughters Janice (Allan) McDonald, Rosemary (Addie) Bain, sons Henry (Robyn) Sinclair, Jim (Gail) Sinclair. Her grandchildren: Jeffrey McDonald, Jonathon McDonald, Jessica (Ernie) Smith, Amanda (Shaun) LeePaget, Todd Sinclair (Roxanne Lavallee), Tiffany (Chris) Pencoff, Travis (Angelina) Bain, Alanna Bain (Jason Jardine) survive her, and four great grandchildren: Emily Pencoff and Kaden Sinclair, Joshua and Malleree McDonald. Maisie was also grandma to Ginnie Hintz (Cloe and Drew) and Tanya Moon (Ashley and William). Also surviving her are her brother Ron (Leone) Boucha, and sisters Eleanor McKeever, and Leona Wayne, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mother was predeceased by her parents Elmer and Nancy;siblings Henry in WWII, Alec, Archie, and Ernie; brothers-in-law George McKeever, Roy Wayne, George (Pearl) Sinclair, Stan (Mabel) Sinclair, Hugh (Kay) Sinclair; sisters-in-law Ella (Mike) Sommers, Irene (Ed) Hanton, Rae (Charlie) Harris.

On July 29, 1924, mom was born at French Portage on Lake of the Woods to Nancy and Elmer Boucha where she was raised for most of her life and she spent her summers at Royal Island, always referring to herself as the “Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter”.

Throughout her years, Mom developed an undying love of the lake and would always take great joy in telling all of us the stories of her youth and all the wonderful times and her acquaintances of that era of her life.

Maisie met the love of her life, Clarence, in the Savoy cafe and they were married on November 29, 1943. They raised their four children in Kenora and spent their entire life here. As a young woman, mom worked at Notre Dame Rectory, and then went on to be a waitress at many local restaurants including the Cecil Café, Jackson's Bakery and the Kenricia Hotel. Mom was also employed at St. Mary's Residential School and retired from the housekeeping department of Lake of the Woods District Hospital.

Mom was a truly outgoing woman who loved people. Her family was always the centre of her world. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and a very loving and doting grandmother.

The outdoors was where mom loved to spend her time, no matter what she was doing, there was always time made for fishing or picking berries. She was a marvelous cook and was especially known for her blueberry pies and her special sugar cookies. She was always giving of herself and will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Lake of the Woods District Hospital, with special thanks to Drs. Wiebe and Kroeker and the 3rd floor nursing staff; and the staff at Pinecrest Home for the Aged, where mom resided for the last few months.