Obituary of Ginette Marie Bélanger-Basak

June 6, 1949 - Montreal, Quebec

September 22, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Ginette Marie Bélanger-Basak (nee Bélanger) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at the age of 73 years.

Ginette was born on June 6, 1949 in Montréal, QC, to Claude and Nicole Bélanger (nee Brosseau). Her early years of education were spent in Montréal and eventually in Québec City. While in Québec City, she attended Marymount College. She was very proud of her time at Marymount College and would love to tell stories about having nuns as teachers. Ginette was always busy with her school studies, including being part of many student activities. Ginette attended Concordia University in Montréal and was one of three women enrolled in her class. She was also part of the Garnet Key Society. During her time at Concordia University studying engineering, she met her soulmate, Asit Basak in 1977. They were married in May 1978 in Sainte-Adèle, Québec. In 1979, she graduated cum laude from Concordia University with a degree in civil engineering and soon after Ginette and Asit moved to Calgary, AB. In 1985, Ginette graduated with her MBA in marketing and management from the University of Calgary.

Ginette worked with many major oil and gas related companies as well as mining and space involved projects. She worked as a senior engineer and in senior management. Also, she had positions in onshore and offshore projects. One of her most memorable times was working in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. During her career as a civil engineer, she was a dedicated member of multiple organizations. She was a devoted member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering International (AACE International), and International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC). During her time with ICEC, she was the first woman to become Chair between 2006-2008. Between 2010-2012 she was the President of AACE Canada and Director of Region 1 (Americas) for AACE International. Her tireless dedication to these organizations did not go unnoticed. She was a Fellow for AACE International and a Distinguished International Fellow for ICEC. She was also given and Honorary Life Membership in 2003 to AACE International, which requires a unanimous approval of the AACE International Board of Directors.

Ginette was a committee member for the Calgary Regional Health Authority. At the Calgary District Hospital Group, she was a Trustee, Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors, and on the Quality/ Risk Management Committee. Ginette was also a trustee and Chair on the Board of Directors for the Delta Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia.
 

Ginette published several papers and presented them at well known international technical conferences. Ginette loved travelling to different cities and countries for all her conferences. She loved meeting new people and experiencing different cultures.

Ginette was a prolific reader, and her favorite genre of novels were mysteries. She loved watching detective shows with her husband. She had extensive knowledge about artists from Indigenous communities. She loved Inuit and Haida artwork. Ginette loved animals and always surrounded herself with them. She was very proud of her daughter, Ajanta Basak, pursuing her dream to become a veterinarian. She was her daughter’s biggest support and cheerleader. She loved to tell her family and friends about all the experiences her daughter was having at veterinary school.

Ginette is survived by her loving husband, Asit Basak, of 44 years, her daughter Ajanta Basak; her brother and sister-in-law, Raymond and Andrée Bélanger; her lifelong childhood best friend and always as a sister to her Dr. Suzanne Brunet; numerous wonderful nieces and nephews; and close friends and colleagues. Ginette was predeceased by her parents and her youngest daughter Katya Basak. Ginette is deeply missed and will be forever loved by her family and friends.

A private service for family and close friends will be held at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos can be shared and viewed here.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ginette’s name may be made to either The Mia Foundation, a favorite charity of hers, http://www.themiafoundation.com/, https://www.facebook.com/LoveForMiaCleftPalateChihuahua, or to your favorite animal charity.

The family would like to personally thank Kavitha Madhu, Selene Vera, Hari Menon, Chris Cabelguen, and Cristina Argento-Sirianni for all their help during this difficult time.

In living memory of Ginette Bélanger-Basak, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.