Lucille Marie-Anne KING

1916 - 2021

KING, Lucille Marie-Anne (nee Lassaline)
Lucille passed away comfortably in Chilliwack, BC on December 26, 2021, in her 105th year. She is predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Kenneth, and her siblings, Gerald, Armand, and Harvey, who she is undoubtedly looking forward to seeing again. She is survived by her children, Aline (John), Denise, Alan (Rosina), Philip, and Marie (Rob), her sisters Lorraine, Artemese (Bill), Clarice and Pauline, and her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, who will all miss their Meme greatly.

Lucille was born in Sandwich East, now Windsor, Ontario, in 1916, to Denis Lassaline and Medora Janisse, both from local long-established French-Canadian families. As the eldest of 8 children and born during the First World War, Lucille lived through some of the great challenges of her time. Greatly impacted by the Depression, Lucille's family relocated first to St. Boniface, Manitoba, and then to Goderich, Ontario in 1933. After attending Normal School (Teacher's College) in Ottawa, Lucille moved to Welland, Ontario, for her first teaching job at Coronation (French) School in 1934. There she met Kenneth King, and they married in Goderich in 1941. Lucille and Kenneth raised their family in Welland, moving to Chilliwack in 1980.

Lucille was an avid reader and card-player, and she loved the outdoors. She was also a giving person, in every sense of the word. During the Welland years, both Lucille and Ken were active in the newly-formed parish of St. Kevin's. For decades and until very late in her life, Lucille volunteered her time, contributed to charitable causes, and was an active member of her church in Chilliwack - St. Mary's Parish. She cared little for material possessions, preferring to share time with the people close to her. She had an incredible memory and a love of stories, and her loved ones are grateful for the treasured memories she shared with them.

Lucille's family extends their deep gratitude to the members of St. Mary's Parish and the communities at Carrington Court and Waverley Place, for their friendship, care and support for Lucille over the years. We also thank the medical team at Chilliwack General Hospital, for helping to make Lucille's final days as peaceful and comfortable as possible.


Ken would have wanted this: SHE IS JUST AWAY
We cannot say, and we will not say
That she is dead --- she is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand
She has wandered into an unknown land
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs to be, since she lingers there.
So think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Think of her still as the same, we say
She is not dead --- she in just away!