Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Monique Helen Marie Laramee (Bonneville) on October 14, 2024, at the age of 76. Predeceased by her father Alexandre and mother Francoise, brother Andre, sister Terry, sisters in law Jeannine and Rachel, and brothers in law Ron, Guillaume, and Lucien. She leaves behind her husband of 59 years Pete, children Yvette (Harley) and Guy (Tracy), and grandchildren Nicholas, Jesse (Arla), Jonah (Charlie), Sam (Ivana) and Tessa (Cody). Monique was blessed to be surrounded by a large close-knit family who mourn her loss – brother Peter (Judy), sisters Claire (Gary) and Jeannine (Gary); sisters in law Rita (Gualbert), Jeannette, Marie, Liliane (Gilles), Cécile (Emile); and brothers in law John (Virginia) and Réal (Lauraine); and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Monique was born on April 24, 1948, in the small city of Sainte-Marie, Quebec, and spent most of her early years growing up in the areas surrounding Winnipeg, where she met the love of her life, Pete. Married for nearly 60 years, she and Pete began raising their children amongst the close-knit family and community of La Broquerie, Manitoba. In 1978 they made the brave and adventurous decision to chart a new course and move to Nanaimo – a city they would proudly call home for 44 years, where they surrounded themselves with a community of family and friends, always opening their home to visitors near and far.
Monique found her passion working as a counsellor for Nanaimo Youth Services for nearly 30 years, helping thousands of young people regain their footing to live happy, productive lives. Her service and compassion for her clients fueled her desire to work into her late 60s, when she finally retired and she and Pete began living the slower pace that retirement affords.
In 2022, Monique and Pete made yet another brave and adventurous decision to downsize their longtime home to move to Victoria to be closer to family. Monique’s greatest joys included hosting celebrations involving elaborate feasts, attending family dinners, baking, devouring and gifting the sweetest sweets on this planet, playing cards, reading, closely following the dreams and day to day lives of her beloved children and grandchildren, and her favourite… going for long drives with Pete exploring Vancouver Island and beyond.
Monique was truly selfless, always jumping in to help, to serve, and to comfort without us ever needing to ask. The immense care she provided and attention she paid made family and friends feel like they were the most important people in the world, because to her, they were. She was innately curious about the lives of others, but most of all, Monique was incredibly kind. The hole she leaves in our lives is immeasurable. In the days since her passing, it’s plainly evident she was the centre of our world. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed.
A celebration of Monique’s life will be held Friday, October 25 at 11am in the Common Room at 290 Island Highway, Victoria. Access to the building is via Eltham Road, with limited onsite parking. Ample street parking can be found on Jedburgh Road and Rudyard Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the BC Cancer Foundation.
I am heartbroken for your loss. Reading her obituary, I cannot agree more, she was so kind, sweet, family oriented and welcoming. Our family road trips from Winnipeg to Nanaimo as kids were always the best. My mom was always excited to see her sister (for her amazing hugs) and I think she and uncle Pete were very patient having three nephews take over their house for a week or two. From crab fishing off the docks, trips to Tofino and Coombs, late night dinners and staying up late playing games, the thing I will always remember the most will be her smile. Her smile lit up the room and was the most genuine, loving and endearing look you could get from another human being.
All my love to Uncle Pete and the family during this saddest of times.