Obituary of Leona GAUDET (Zurowski)

April 10, 1947 – Birch Hills, Saskatchewan
October 12, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

Leona Gaudet passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at the age of 72 in Calgary, Alberta, after a courageous battle with Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis. She will be dearly missed.

Leona was born in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, on April 10, 1947 where she grew up on the family farm. She married Oscar Gaudet on October 1, 1966. She worked in Saskatoon for IDB and TD before starting their family. Leona and Oscar lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and were blessed with two children, Barry (Christine) of Saskatoon, and Michelle (James) of Ottawa, Ontario. In the early 90s Oscar’s work took them to Ottawa, then Toronto, and then back to Calgary where they built their retirement home. Leona loved traveling with her family: their trip to Mexico in 2006 was one that she will never forget. Hawaii was her favourite holiday resort where she and Oscar had spent many glorious vacations. Leona loved when her family came to visit and spent precious time with her four wonderful grandchildren, Amanda, Jesse, Andrew, and Matthew. She loved to entertain and welcomed many into her home with her superb cooking and a friendly game of cards. Leona loved working in her yard creating her own little Butchart Gardens, and manicuring her trees and shrubs to perfection. She took such pride and joy in her home. It truly showed through her decorating talents. Her home was her peaceful sanctuary. She loved going on road trips with her daughter and granddaughter visiting little corners of Ontario that she and Oscar had enjoyed visiting when they lived there. She also enjoyed the time with her daughter-in-law Christine when the boys would go on their annual walleye fishing trip. She wanted all of us to enjoy life and see each day as a special gift!  

Leona is cherished by her loving husband Oscar, her children, and grandchildren, she will also be loved and remembered by her siblings, Ed (Joy), Ernie (Lorene), Marlene (Russ), Phil (Cheryl); and Oscar’s siblings, Doris (Noel), Eveline (George), Majella (Robert), Lillian (Leo), Estelle (Bob), and Doreen; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Claire and Leo Zurowski, her sister Bernice Mayert, in-laws Fernande and Leopold Gaudet, sisters-in-law Aurore and Georgette; and brother-in-law Ray.  

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (541 Silvergrove Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.  Reception to follow in the Church Hall.

Memorial tributes may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation of Calgary, #1920, 540 – 5 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2P 0M2. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com.