April 29, 2008
BARSALOU, Monique Ruth Monique was born on October 12, 1958 in Winnipeg,
Manitoba to Aime Philien Barsalou and Olive Mazure. She grew up in a close and
loving family with her siblings Cecile (Bruce Stewart), Suzanne, and Paul (Carol
Ryckenboer-Barsalou). Their childhood was spent in Winnipeg, except for a two
year visit to Pakistan. Monique attended Frontenac School and Pierre Radisson
Collegiate, and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1980 with a B.Sc.
(Agric.) in Food Science. She worked briefly for the Department of Agriculture
and Manitoba Grain Commission before embarking on a successful career with the
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs. Monique's first foreign posting was to
the Canadian Embassy in Vienna, Austria in the spring of 1983. She served as a
communicator there and later at the embassies in Saudi Arabia, Chile, and Egypt.
In 1994, she joined Administrative Services and worked in Ottawa in the
Personnel Section until her posting to Mexico in 1997. In Mexico City and then
Berlin, she served as a Rotational Management and Consular Affairs Officer,
earning promotions to First Secretary and Consul. On her return to Ottawa, she
held the Deputy Advisor desk in the Area Management Office for the Americas.
Monique's career enabled her to fulfill her lifelong desire for travel and
adventure. She was visited at many of her foreign postings by her family, and
spent her holidays visiting friends and family around the globe. She enjoyed the
fast pace and variety of life in the Foreign Service. Monique was a loving
daughter, sister, aunt and friend, and a dedicated employee. Her cats, Spider
and Cornelia, gave her great joy and were seasoned travellers. In her leisure
time she enjoyed horseback riding, racquet sports, walking, skating, scuba
diving, and ballroom dancing. Monique fought a courageous battle with leukemia.
Bone marrow, donated in Germany by Oliver Kestel, gave her two extra years of
life and she was profoundly grateful for his gift. Monique died peacefully on
April 29, 2008 at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, with her family at her
side. She will be missed. Monique is survived by her parents, siblings, nieces,
and nephews. She was very fond of her nieces and nephews: Lydia, Avery and
Delaney Barsalou; Megan, Tyler and Erin Steen; and Heather and Ceilidh Stewart.
Monique was comforted throughout her illness by visits, calls, and letters from
her many friends. She was, and her family are, truly grateful for their support
and for the kind and compassionate care she received from the many health care
professionals in Ottawa and Winnipeg. Her funeral mass will be held on Monday
May 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm at St. Bernadette Parish, 820 Cottonwood Road, Winnipeg,
Manitoba. A commemorative reception will follow the service. A mass in Monique's
name will also be held on Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm at the Chapelle - 2nd
floor, Elisabeth Bruyere Centre, 43 Bruyere Road, Ottawa, Ontario. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba. The Coutu family in care
of arrangements: E.J COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba 1-204-253-5086Note from Ron Belanger: Monique (Monica) Barsalou was a Communicator who started work with us in the mid 80's. She [passed away last night, in Saint Boniface, of Leukemia.
© OFARTS Canada 2006-2008 Old Foreign Affairs Retired Technicians, Canada