Ghislaine Wellspeak

Ghislaine Laurette "Gigi" Wellspeak (née Levasseur) passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on March 25, 2026, in Daniel Island, South Carolina.

Born on July 12, 1941, in Montreal, Canada, Ghislaine was the only child of Maurice and Yvette Levasseur - two of the most tenacious people the world has ever known. Therefore, it was no great surprise that she grew to be a woman of tremendous strength and determination herself.

She married her husband Lawrence (Larry) Wellspeak at the age of 20, having met in person only a handful of times. However, they spoke every Friday evening on the phone which was a great luxury in the early 1960's. Larry sent letters with lyrics from “The Way You Look Tonight." As she didn’t speak much English at the time she naturally assumed she was marrying a poet of a man - which he was. Their love story lasted for 64 years and it will carry on as Larry will continue his love for his beautiful wife.

Besides her husband, Gigi is survived by her son Patrick Wellspeak and his wife Ann of Cheshire, CT, and two daughters - Lisa Milo of Johns Island, SC and her husband Scott Milo (predeceased) and Jennifer Wellspeak and her husband Michael Kearsey of Farnborough, England. Gigi also had four loving grandsons - Andrew (and his wife Emma) and Thomas (and his wife Cassidy) Wellspeak and Aidan and Samuel Kearsey as well as a new great granddaughter - Whitney Marin Wellspeak.

Gigi was a profoundly giving person who was always looking after others and generously sharing her time and love with so many people. She had a great sense of humor; willing to laugh at herself most of all. She loved to have people around her and her home was always open. Her ability to whip up a delicious array of edibles, no matter how last minute, was a wonder to all. Her family was often stopped by people whose lives she touched, who wanted to tell a story of Gigi. These stories always involved wine, great food and wonder at how she was forever glamorous with her make up perfect, fantastic style and big earrings - even when she was outside gardening.

Her dedication to taking care of others has proven to be her final act of kindness as Gigi chose to donate her body for medical research in the hopes it will prevent others from suffering as she has. Her battle with both breast cancer and a rare form of dementia called Primary Progressive Aphasia were valiantly fought.

At her request there will be no services. Anyone wishing to honor Ghislaine can make memorial contributions to the following:

National Aphasia Association – a charity that offers support to people diagnosed with Aphasia and their loved ones as they go through their journey.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation – a charity dedicated to ending breast cancer by advancing promising research around the world.