Avard, Marie-Louise

Mrs. Marie-Louise, aged 96 years, 8 months , a pioneer resident of Longlac passed away at Saint-Mary's Hospital in Montr»al on January 15, 2004. Mrs. Avard (Marie-Louise Ferland) was born at Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce (Qu»bec) on May 8, 1907. She had been married to Jean-Louis Avard who predeceased her on July 23, 1985.Upon arriving in northern-Ontario in early August of 1934, the newly married couple settled in the Longlac area where Jean-Louis was successively employed by CNR, Theresa Gold Mines, Campbell Construction, and Kimberly Clark (Pulpwood Supply Co). The Avard couple owned a flourishing business (Avard's Stop & Shop) for 25 years until its takeover by the Hudson's Bay Company on February 1, 1969. Marie-Louise was instrumental to the overall success of their marital, social, and business ventures. A truly religious person, resourceful, courageous, crafty, determined and organized, nothing seemed unmanageable for her. Longlac in its earlier days was a frontier-like settlement where commodities and services that are now taken for granted were non-existent: no roads, no radio, no doctor, no electricity. Moving about at the time took place by foot, dog sleigh in winter, or canoe in summer; even the railroad was relatively new and the trains were frequently off-schedule by twenty-four hours. Wire telegraph was the only means for rapid communication with the outside world. Shopping facilities being hundreds of miles away and money scarce during depression years forcefully obliged Marie-Louise to improvise and make do for survival. Clothes bought by catalogue needed to be adjusted or modified; fortunately her seamstress expertise was priceless for family members and friends throughout the community. Mrs. Avard who had school teaching experience assumed the task of elementary teaching to her first born child. Understandingly, she encouraged and backed her husband and his associates, Verdun (Mac) Gauthier among others, in their endeavour to establish a Catholic bilingual School in Longlac; this project was realized in 1950 with a total of 12 students (incidentally the school population is now nearly 250). Naturally, the two younger Avard children benefited from the new school system. Jean-Louis Avard was a participating trustee along with A.L. Ken Switzer and Norman Skinner when the Longlac Improvement District was initially chartered in 1952. Naturally, Mrs. Avard encouraged the endeavours of her husband, and the outcome of this Pioneer couple's efforts for the development of the Longlac area. can now be appreciated. Countless times Marie-Louise took part in fund raising activities for the Jesuit priests of the First nation's Mission, the Notre-Dame-de-Fatima School, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Parish and other endeavours. This was always realized with the unfailing support of enthused volunteers who liked to work with her. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Avard has been an active member of the Longlac Senior Citizen Group and, as such, found ways of giving help to people in need. Marie-Louise Avard is survived by three children (Denise married to Eef Harmsen of Montr»al, Andr» married to Ruby Rex of Sudbury, Alfred married to Carmen DeschÕnes of Trois-RiviÀres), two grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and one great-step-grandchild. Also surviving are one sister (Alice Ferland c.n.d. nun of Qu»bec), one brother (Joseph-Arthur of Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce), two sisters-in-law (Carmen Avard of Vall»e-Jonction and Geraldine Avard of Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce), many nieces and nephews, precious friends that merit everlasting recognition for their continued help and support throughout the years, the Longlac Community where Marie-Louise wanted to live and rest. Finally the people of the First nation, whose elders Mrs. Avard had the privilege of knowing after arriving in Longlac, this consequent to Mr. Avard's related family ties with Father Joseph-Marie Couture s.j. missionary in Longlac. Funeral service for Marie-Louise Avard will be held on friday January 23 at 11 a.m. at Saint Jean-Baptiste Parish Church in Longlac with Father Lucien Bouillon presiding. Mrs. Avard'sboby will be removed from Fawcett Funeral Home in Geraldton to lie in state at the church annex in Longlac on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. , and in the evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Interment after the funeral will be in the Family plot at the Longlac Cemetery. For information ( 807 ) 854-1212 Condolences may be faxed to (807) 854-0183, E-Mail fawcett@astrocom-on.com