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Madeleine Webber Obituary
Madeleine Maria (DesMazes) Webber
November 25, 1921 to December 13, 2014
Madeleine is survived by her children: Joseph (Jeannie) Webber of Barriere, John (Linda) Webber of Kamloops, and Brian (Adrianna) Webber of Edmonton. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, her beloved nieces, Happy and Gwyneth, and many other family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Maria and Raoul DesMazes, her sister Jeanne, and her brothers John, Andrew, and beloved younger brother Maurice, as well as her husband, Hilton.
Madeleine's parents emigrated from France and she was fiercely proud of that heritage. She was born and raised in Abbotsford where she was brought up in a stately house on Ware Street; Les Cinq Arbres (the Five Trees), as she fondly referred to it. Her beloved home now stands as Abbotsford's museum house. Madeleine spent 76 years in Abbotsford before moving to Kamloops in 1997 to live with Linda and John.
Madeleine knew everyone and everyone knew her.
This was Madeleine (a.k.a. Grannie) : strong-willed, loud, outspoken, feisty, and opinionated; she was character, personified. She had a foghorn voice that could garner everyone's attention in short order, and she answered the phone with great zest. She was learned, in part because she was inquisitive. And she was blessed with an amazing memory that was with her to the end. She had a soft spot for furry creatures and TV nature shows, and could be counted on to recite copious amounts of information regarding some strange insect or animal. She loved to laugh, and found humour in many things; always up for a good joke, she said there was something wrong with people who couldn't laugh. Madeleine was a loyal friend and could hold her own in verbal debate. Her friends, of whom there were many, adored her for her quirky sense of humour and fun. Long, flowing caftans and 16 silver bangles on one arm made up Madeleine's signature style. She loved loud music, especially opera (Bolero, her favorite), Elvis, and Patsy Cline. It "ticked her off" that she couldn't sing on key and she would declare that she was returning as an opera singer in her next life. Madeleine was artistic. She loved the colors fawn, chocolate brown and avocado green. She could decorate a home, grow beautiful flowers, arrange fabulous floral bouquets and execute exquisite handiwork. And she was happiest canning salmon and green beans in her Canon Drive home or crabbing on the beach with her boys at Birch Bay.
Her life, her passion, was the world of antiques, some of that passed on through her French heritage. In the beginning, when it wasn't in vogue, people laughed: "Why would you want all that junk?" But Madeleine didn't care. Through her part-time jobs at Frost's Auction Market in Abbotsford and Century House Antiques in Haney she became a keen collector and knowledgeable teacher. With her guidance, a great many of us gained an immeasurable appreciation for pieces old and beautiful. Many thanks to Bernice and loyal friends of the Antiques & Collectibles club in Kamloops for all the wonderful support they gave to Madeleine.
She enjoyed the years she gave to raising her boys (and all their friends!), and she was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always loved hearing of their adventures.
The cruel disease that is ALS ravaged four of her family members; donations to the ALS Foundation in Madeleine's memory would be gratefully accepted. She also was very fond of the BC Guide Dogs for the Blind and the SPCA
Heartfelt thanks to Happy, Gwen, Bernice, Joyce and Bob for your unwavering love to Madeleine; she loved you back.
Are there angels? You bet there are! I've seen them many times at Overlander Extended Care. Thank you for allowing Madeleine to be "herself" and meeting her particular brand of humour straight on. She was in such caring, capable hands.
And to Navi, thank you for your professional and dedicated support to Madeleine.
You were all more than we could have wished for!
Grannie, I know you would have done the same for me. So have fun at the poker table with
Maggie & Vern, Eva & Ted, and Riki & Charlie. Sing loudly, laugh outrageously, and talk on!
Love, Linda
As per Madeleine's request, there will be no formal service.
November 25, 1921 to December 13, 2014
Madeleine is survived by her children: Joseph (Jeannie) Webber of Barriere, John (Linda) Webber of Kamloops, and Brian (Adrianna) Webber of Edmonton. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, her beloved nieces, Happy and Gwyneth, and many other family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Maria and Raoul DesMazes, her sister Jeanne, and her brothers John, Andrew, and beloved younger brother Maurice, as well as her husband, Hilton.
Madeleine's parents emigrated from France and she was fiercely proud of that heritage. She was born and raised in Abbotsford where she was brought up in a stately house on Ware Street; Les Cinq Arbres (the Five Trees), as she fondly referred to it. Her beloved home now stands as Abbotsford's museum house. Madeleine spent 76 years in Abbotsford before moving to Kamloops in 1997 to live with Linda and John.
Madeleine knew everyone and everyone knew her.
This was Madeleine (a.k.a. Grannie) : strong-willed, loud, outspoken, feisty, and opinionated; she was character, personified. She had a foghorn voice that could garner everyone's attention in short order, and she answered the phone with great zest. She was learned, in part because she was inquisitive. And she was blessed with an amazing memory that was with her to the end. She had a soft spot for furry creatures and TV nature shows, and could be counted on to recite copious amounts of information regarding some strange insect or animal. She loved to laugh, and found humour in many things; always up for a good joke, she said there was something wrong with people who couldn't laugh. Madeleine was a loyal friend and could hold her own in verbal debate. Her friends, of whom there were many, adored her for her quirky sense of humour and fun. Long, flowing caftans and 16 silver bangles on one arm made up Madeleine's signature style. She loved loud music, especially opera (Bolero, her favorite), Elvis, and Patsy Cline. It "ticked her off" that she couldn't sing on key and she would declare that she was returning as an opera singer in her next life. Madeleine was artistic. She loved the colors fawn, chocolate brown and avocado green. She could decorate a home, grow beautiful flowers, arrange fabulous floral bouquets and execute exquisite handiwork. And she was happiest canning salmon and green beans in her Canon Drive home or crabbing on the beach with her boys at Birch Bay.
Her life, her passion, was the world of antiques, some of that passed on through her French heritage. In the beginning, when it wasn't in vogue, people laughed: "Why would you want all that junk?" But Madeleine didn't care. Through her part-time jobs at Frost's Auction Market in Abbotsford and Century House Antiques in Haney she became a keen collector and knowledgeable teacher. With her guidance, a great many of us gained an immeasurable appreciation for pieces old and beautiful. Many thanks to Bernice and loyal friends of the Antiques & Collectibles club in Kamloops for all the wonderful support they gave to Madeleine.
She enjoyed the years she gave to raising her boys (and all their friends!), and she was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always loved hearing of their adventures.
The cruel disease that is ALS ravaged four of her family members; donations to the ALS Foundation in Madeleine's memory would be gratefully accepted. She also was very fond of the BC Guide Dogs for the Blind and the SPCA
Heartfelt thanks to Happy, Gwen, Bernice, Joyce and Bob for your unwavering love to Madeleine; she loved you back.
Are there angels? You bet there are! I've seen them many times at Overlander Extended Care. Thank you for allowing Madeleine to be "herself" and meeting her particular brand of humour straight on. She was in such caring, capable hands.
And to Navi, thank you for your professional and dedicated support to Madeleine.
You were all more than we could have wished for!
Grannie, I know you would have done the same for me. So have fun at the poker table with
Maggie & Vern, Eva & Ted, and Riki & Charlie. Sing loudly, laugh outrageously, and talk on!
Love, Linda
As per Madeleine's request, there will be no formal service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Kamloops This Week on Dec. 17, 2014.