Elise Mauroy-Hall passed away peacefully with family at her side on December 25, 2015 in the Whitewood Community Health Centre, Whitewood, Saskatchewan, in her 93rd year. Born Elise Mauroy in Ghent, Belgium in 1923, she was predeceased by her husband Hector in 1975 and her parents, Jules in 1970 and Noâle in 1978.
While attending university in Ghent, Elise met and married Hector Hall of the 3rd Canadian Division in 1945, immigrating to Canada in May of 1946. She and Hector farmed in the Park School district near Whitewood until the early sixties. Her parents, Jules and Noâle Mauroy along with her only sister Micheline (Mrs. R.A. Nicol), followed her example by coming to Canada in 1947. In 1976 she took the position of school librarian in Whitewood, an experience she would always describe as “my dream job” and one she continued to talk about with enthusiasm long after her retirement in 1988.
Being school librarian allowed her to work with books she loved, teacher-colleagues she respected and young people with minds as open and curious as her own. Once retired, her passionate love of books and reading continued to express itself in her active support and interest in the activities and welfare of the Whitewood branch of the Southeast Regional Library, even during her final hospitalization in Moosomin and Whitewood.
Maman, Tante, Grand’märe, Friend and Neighbour, Elise’s enquiring mind and generous spirit touched a great many people. She leaves to cherish her memory her three children: Edward, Viviane (Harold Sabasch) and Noâle (Deb Kunder); her grandchildren Eren Scott (Candice), Pennie (Scott Kimery) and Shannon (Todd Bowes); great-grandsons Donavan, Camdyn and Kellen Scott of Moosomin, Nicholas and Kade Kimery of Kipling and Hunter and Brogan Bowes of Moose Jaw; her sister Micheline Nicol of Whitewood; her niece Michele Myrah (John) and their children Ainsley, Scot and Kelsey and nephew Jim Nicol (Arlene) and Courtney and Madison. Joining them all in heart-felt expressions of esteem and fondness are cousins and friends in Belgium.
She blessed our lives with her courage, intelligence and wonderful heart.
The family wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Roets, the nursing and support staff of the Southeast Integrated Care Centre, Moosomin and the Whitewood Community Health Centre for the care, compassion and affection demonstrated throughout Elise’s hospitalization. A service of Thanksgiving and Celebration of Life was held at the Knox Presbyterian Church, Whitewood on December 31, 2015, presided over by Pastor Jinsil Park and Rev. Barbara Wilkins. Interment took place int the Whitewood Cemetery with Russell Hamilton, Perry Moore, John Myrah, Ken Thompson, Ernie Veresh and Ken White acting as pallbearers. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Southeast Regional Library, Whitewood Branch, Box 488, Whitewood, SK S0G 5C0. Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Whitewood.
