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ANNETTE PORTER-CONROD
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ANNETTE PORTER-CONROD Obituary
ANNETTE RITA PORTER-CONROD September 16, 1924 ~ March 25, 2026
We are so very sad to announce the passing of our mother Annette Rita Porter-Conrod (nee Bousquet), on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the age of 101. An incredibly strong woman - a kind and gentle soul - independent and determined. Annette was born on September 16, 1924, in St. Boniface, Manitoba. At a very young age mom learned to appreciate the simple things in life with gratitude. She often spoke about how much she appreciated her parents' hard work during difficult times and how loved she felt as a child. She talked fondly of her closeness to her 5 siblings and the way they used their imagination to create their own games and toys because they didn't have any store-bought toys. Proud of her grade 8 education she started working at the age of 14 as a seamstress. The next year, World War 2 broke out and continued through all of mom's teenage years. She lost many friends including her fiancé, Charles. After the war, she met dad on the corner of Portage and Main. They married soon after while dad was still in the Army assigned to guard and escort prisoners of war. Dad was a pretty well-known hockey star before the war and a standout player for the Army hockey team. Mom was excited when she was able to move to Medicine Hat to live with him in a tiny one room apartment. Mom talked of how she was a celebrity there because she was their hockey star's wife. After the war mom and dad moved to Thunder Bay so dad could further his hockey career.
Mom and dad started their family with the birth of their son Lenny and later daughter Debbie. We enjoyed many years of camping, fishing and hanging out with our good friends and neighbors on Francis Street. Many backyard get-togethers sitting by the fire toasting a bubbly. Shawn and Meaghan have many good memories from their younger years of weekends at gramma's house - her homemade apple jelly, playing pool and dancing to Rasputin with gramma and Denise.
Sadly, dad passed away far too young. It was many, many years before mom found someone worthy of replacing our dad. She finally met and married John Conrod, a slightly younger man she joked. John was well worth waiting for. They met at a dance, and he literally swept her off her feet - John and mom spent many wonderful years together - dancing, dining out and travelling. Mom loved to dress up and she loved her jewelry. Sadly, John predeceased her in 2005. Shortly after mom moved into her comfortable apartment in Westfort where she lived until her passing on March 25, 2026. Mom loved to reminisce about the many good times she had throughout her life. She also endured many hardships in her lifetime, but she didn't see it that way. "You have to accept what you get - that makes it better".
Mom is survived by her son Lenny Porter (Marilyn), daughter Debbie Ritson (Derek), grandson Shawn (Mandy), granddaughter Meaghan and her special great-granddaughter Paige. Nieces and nephews also survive.
Thank you to moms across the hall neighbor Judy for being such a special friend, thank you to moms down the hall neighbor and new little friend Trianna who at age 2 1/2 brought so much joy to mom with her frequent visits and hugs. Thanks, cousin Sharon, for your frequent phone calls. Thank you to Kathy for your caring visits and conversations. Thanks also to long-time friends Sue, Denise and Janet for staying in touch with mom. In mom's later years, her world became a lot smaller with the passing of all her friends and siblings. Thank you so much for being part of mom's world during this stage of her life.
Words cannot express our gratitude to Kelsey, all the nurses, and all the staff at St. Joseph's Hospice 4 North for the exceptional care you provided to mom during her last weeks. You will never be forgotten - you truly went above and beyond. Many people have asked what moms secret is to such a long life - we think maybe Brandy, ice cream and a positive attitude.
As per mom's wishes, cremation has taken place with interment at a later date. If friends desire donations can be made in Annette's memory to St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay - Hospice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
We are so very sad to announce the passing of our mother Annette Rita Porter-Conrod (nee Bousquet), on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the age of 101. An incredibly strong woman - a kind and gentle soul - independent and determined. Annette was born on September 16, 1924, in St. Boniface, Manitoba. At a very young age mom learned to appreciate the simple things in life with gratitude. She often spoke about how much she appreciated her parents' hard work during difficult times and how loved she felt as a child. She talked fondly of her closeness to her 5 siblings and the way they used their imagination to create their own games and toys because they didn't have any store-bought toys. Proud of her grade 8 education she started working at the age of 14 as a seamstress. The next year, World War 2 broke out and continued through all of mom's teenage years. She lost many friends including her fiancé, Charles. After the war, she met dad on the corner of Portage and Main. They married soon after while dad was still in the Army assigned to guard and escort prisoners of war. Dad was a pretty well-known hockey star before the war and a standout player for the Army hockey team. Mom was excited when she was able to move to Medicine Hat to live with him in a tiny one room apartment. Mom talked of how she was a celebrity there because she was their hockey star's wife. After the war mom and dad moved to Thunder Bay so dad could further his hockey career.
Mom and dad started their family with the birth of their son Lenny and later daughter Debbie. We enjoyed many years of camping, fishing and hanging out with our good friends and neighbors on Francis Street. Many backyard get-togethers sitting by the fire toasting a bubbly. Shawn and Meaghan have many good memories from their younger years of weekends at gramma's house - her homemade apple jelly, playing pool and dancing to Rasputin with gramma and Denise.
Sadly, dad passed away far too young. It was many, many years before mom found someone worthy of replacing our dad. She finally met and married John Conrod, a slightly younger man she joked. John was well worth waiting for. They met at a dance, and he literally swept her off her feet - John and mom spent many wonderful years together - dancing, dining out and travelling. Mom loved to dress up and she loved her jewelry. Sadly, John predeceased her in 2005. Shortly after mom moved into her comfortable apartment in Westfort where she lived until her passing on March 25, 2026. Mom loved to reminisce about the many good times she had throughout her life. She also endured many hardships in her lifetime, but she didn't see it that way. "You have to accept what you get - that makes it better".
Mom is survived by her son Lenny Porter (Marilyn), daughter Debbie Ritson (Derek), grandson Shawn (Mandy), granddaughter Meaghan and her special great-granddaughter Paige. Nieces and nephews also survive.
Thank you to moms across the hall neighbor Judy for being such a special friend, thank you to moms down the hall neighbor and new little friend Trianna who at age 2 1/2 brought so much joy to mom with her frequent visits and hugs. Thanks, cousin Sharon, for your frequent phone calls. Thank you to Kathy for your caring visits and conversations. Thanks also to long-time friends Sue, Denise and Janet for staying in touch with mom. In mom's later years, her world became a lot smaller with the passing of all her friends and siblings. Thank you so much for being part of mom's world during this stage of her life.
Words cannot express our gratitude to Kelsey, all the nurses, and all the staff at St. Joseph's Hospice 4 North for the exceptional care you provided to mom during her last weeks. You will never be forgotten - you truly went above and beyond. Many people have asked what moms secret is to such a long life - we think maybe Brandy, ice cream and a positive attitude.
As per mom's wishes, cremation has taken place with interment at a later date. If friends desire donations can be made in Annette's memory to St. Joseph's Foundation of Thunder Bay - Hospice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 575 Central Avenue, Thunder Bay.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Mar. 28, 2026.
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