Theresa Jo-Anne Comeau-Ludlow

Peacefully, our loving wife, mom, sister, and daughter passed away in the early hours of Thursday May 17, 2012 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg.

Theresa will be greatly missed by her husband Jim and their six children, her two children, Katie and Paul, and Jim’s children Cedric, Charlie, Fiona and Amanda; her sister Carolyn DuVal (Bruce) and her niece Claire and nephew Michael of Saskatoon; brother Gord Comeau (Liz) of San Diego, and her parents Maurice and Ruth of Charleswood and of course the family dog Biscuit. She was immensely proud of all of her aunts, uncles and cousins, and will be forever and lovingly remembered by all of them.

Theresa was born in Steinbach on January 28, 1964 and shortly thereafter moved with her family to the tiny hamlet of Marchand, Manitoba where her dad was a Conservation Officer. In 1971 the family moved to Winnipeg and settled on Community Row. Enjoying family life in sunny South Charleswood Theresa attended Beaumont Elementary, Westdale Junior High, and Oak Park High School, where she graduated in 1982. During her school years Theresa volunteered as a Candy Striper at the Grace Hospital and worked as a junior executive at Eaton’s in the pet department. After high school, Theresa attended Red River Community College for two years and then worked for the City of Winnipeg, ultimately enjoying a long career with the Winnipeg Police Service as a 911 dispatcher.

As a young woman, Theresa was avidly involved in track and field, her favourites were the 800 and 1,500-metre, and she ran at Oak Park, with the Galaxy Track Club, and with the Junior Provincial Team. Later on, she enjoyed curling with the girls in many a bonspiel. Many early summer vacations were spent with Mom, Dad, Carolyn, and Gord around Flin Flon and at Bakers Lake Narrows camping and fishing.

Theresa was ever so proud of her two children, Katie, born in 1998 and Paul, in 1999, and was always actively involved in their lives at school or extracurricular activities; hockey and flag football at Varsity View, swimming, drama and music. Theresa never missed a chance to volunteer with her kids’ activities nor did she ever miss a game or lesson.

Although she lived with cancer for many years, she lived a dynamic, active, healthy and exemplary lifestyle. Her personal life outside the home was defined by her friendships and interest in Taekwondo where she earned her black belt in 2009, and her active involvement in summer and winter activities with all the kids.

In recent years she met the “love of her life”, Jim and her family rapidly grew to eight. Together, the family squeezed a lifetime of activities and memories into a few short years. Summers were always at the Lake. All of the kids will remember long summer weekends at the family island on Lake of the Woods, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, fishing, having cookouts, boating, barbecuing, the legendary verandah dinner parties and late night board games. Theresa quickly became an expert yachtsman, and could often be seen circling the island with the kids in tow behind the boat. The extended family travelled on ski trips to Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise, Jackson Hole (WY), and Big Sky (MT) where Theresa and Jim became engaged this past winter. Recently, the family enjoyed a wonderful winter vacation to Akumal (QR), Mexico. Theresa was a huge Jets fan and both Jim and Theresa attended the last Jets regular season game April 7, 2011.

Above all else, Theresa lived her life unselfishly and for others and always put her friends and family first. She was generous, kind and thoughtful, and always there to provide encouragement and a helping hand to all of her children and friends whenever needed. Theresa always overcame her challenges with her beautiful smile and her positive outlook on life. Her heart was always in the right place.

Although she finally lost the battle, in her last few weeks at the Riverview Health Centre she fought courageously, with dignity, composure and determination. Jim and Theresa were married in the chapel at Riverview Health Centre on April 25, 2012. Theresa had hoped to be back at the Lake this summer.

Our thanks on the behalf of the family are extended to all of the family, friends, and cousins, whom have always been there over the years for Theresa, including the good people at Cancer Care Manitoba and the Hope Centre.

Our thanks in particular to the medical and nursing staff at the Palliative Care Unit at the Riverview Health Centre. Their kindness and consideration provided Theresa and all of us with much comfort in the last few weeks of her life.

Theresa’s funeral service celebrating her 48 years of life will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 4588 Roblin Boulevard, Wednesday May 23, 2012 at 10:30 AM. A private interment will be held following the service at Chapel Lawn. Pallbearers are Bruce DuVal, Gord Comeau, Leonard Comeau, Cedric Ludlow, Charlie Ludlow, and Colin McIssac. Her dad, Maurice Comeau is the honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Theresa’s memory to Cancer Care Manitoba or a children’s charity of your choice.