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Madeleine Eugenie Oostindie (nee Sabourin)

January 5, 2014

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OOSTINDIE, MADELEINE Eugenie (nee Sabourin) — January 30, 1959 Montreal, Quebec - January 5, 2014 Trail, BC.

Madeleine slipped away on January 5th at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital after a valiant decade-long struggle with cancer. With a shooting star in the clear Kootenay night sky, Madeleine went to heaven and is now free from the immense pain she was enduring as multiple myeloma treatment options ran out.

She left us all with precious memories of her compassion towards others, strong trust in God, and commitment to living faithfully in the world. She was a trailblazer for women’s health, and was also drawn to the serenity of animals and nature. She lived in Quebec, studying and teaching at Dalhousie University, worked as a women’s health nurse in northern Pakistan, an outpost nurse in northern Quebec and BC, lived in Telegraph Creek in Tahltan Territory, nursed in the Watson Lake Hospital, was a cancer prevention worker in the Kootenays, a dialysis nurse in Surrey… wherever she was, she wanted to serve people, and knew it as a means to live fully in the world.

She cared about the next generation’s nieces and nephews, and created wondrous textile and quilted art pieces. Some were blessed to see these at quilting events in the Kootenays. In the past year, while debilitated by cancer’s effects, she continued to share her worldly privileges with others, including helping settle new refugees into the Kootenays, and always had an eye and heart for the less-off. She also collaborated with husband Paul to move from their mountain oasis in Rossland and rebuilt a home in Trail—in which she sadly did not live in for long. She loved the environment and crosscountry ski trails in the area.

Madeleine’s life continues to inspire us and challenge us to reach out to those around us. You are loved and missed Madeleine, and we think of you as you begin to enjoy your heavenly home in God’s love and wonder.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 10, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Salvation Army Community Church, 2030 Second Ave, Trail, BC. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to a charity of your choice, or the International Myeloma Foundation https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/229

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca



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