Annette Poirier, 92 years of age, passed on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at Foyer Maillard in Coquitlam, BC.

Marie Jean Annette Poirier (nee LaFrance) was born June 11, 1926 to Yvon LaFrance and Blanche LaFrance (nee Jackson) in Hazelton, BC. She was the eldest of 8 children, 5 preceded her in death.

As a young woman, Annette volunteered at St Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster. She was ambitious and was gainfully employed at the PV (Pacific Veneer) in New Westminster and later at the Royal City Canners on the banks of the Fraser River also in New Westminster, BC.

Church was a big part of her life and she was an active member of the parish. At one of the many socials, she met her husband Leon Poirier at ‘Card Game Night’ in the parish church basement. They were married in 1950 and their first home was in a little garage off of Brunette in Coquitlam, BC. They started a family and had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Over the years she was a devoted parishioner helping where she and her husband could with church renovations, maintaining the gardens and helping at events. Annette belonged to the CWL and was involved with helping them with pie bake sales, kitchen duty and bazaars for many years until her health prevented her services. As a proud French Canadian she was involved with the founding committee of the annual ‘Festival Du Bois’ which she volunteered at for several years. When her children were all a little older, Annette went back to work at Army and Navy as a sales clerk for approximately 8 – 10 years.

Annette loved her garden. You would find her everyday outside tending her flowers. She called it her ‘Garden of Memories’ as her garden consisted of a collection of plants from family and friends and was always generous to share. Neighbors always knew that she had visited as she would leave a flower on their doorstep if she missed them.

She loved to spend time with family, laughing and always wearing a smile on her face. She was a loving, caring person, devoted wife, mother and friend. Always thinking of others first, to know her was to love her.

She endured the heartache and pain over the loss of her husband of 52 years, Leon Poirier and her sons Denis and Norman. Her loving memory will be cherished by her children, daughters Adele, Lea, Claudette, her son Andre; 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; two brothers, sister-in-laws and brother in-law; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

*In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC.