Lorraine Florence LeBourdais of Kamloops, BC passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at the age of 77.
She is survived by her children; Della (Merle) Fellhauer of Kamloops, Daphne (Mark) LeBourdais-Hilleren of Watford City, ND, Gary (Jen) LeBourdais of Kamloops, Sandra LeBourdais of Kamloops, Jerry (Traci) LeBourdais of Kamloops, Ed (Deana) LeBourdais of Kamloops, Barry (JessieAnn) LeBourdais, and Mel (Teresa) Harrison (adopted son) of Osoyoos, grandchildren; Jolene, Tye (Delaney), Joseph (Jolene) Stephanie (Jay), Lori (Glen), Tanner (Jordi), Darcy (Jodi), Taylor, Adam, Hannah, Derian, Nicole, Marty, Logan, Ben, Joshua, Braden, Marci, Denny, Shay, Christine, and Mathew, great grandchildren; Kayla, Tiegan, Kiara, Zoey, Cyrus, Phoenix, Dainah, Liam, Wyatt, Morgan, Levi, Emma, Kaelyn, Quinn, Claire, Cameron, Isabella, Olivia, Kash, and Addysin,Darwin, Orion,Ella Dawne.
Lorraine is also survived by her siblings, Marelene Newman of Alberta, Wayne Apelle of Edmonton, AB, nieces Marlene and Faye Belanger, and nephew Larry Belanger. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph, daughter Deborah, son Larry, great grandson Dominic Fellhauer, mother Mary (Belanger) Nolan, father James Nolan, brother Kenneth Nolan, Uncles Wilfred and Morris Belanger, father in-law Eddy LeBourdais, and mother in-law Alice LeBourdais.
Lorraine was born in Innisfail, AB and raised in Innisfail, Ponoka and Hobbema, AB and Kamloops, BC. Lorraine comes from a long lineage of Cree ancestry- her grandparents Lucy and Charles, were full-blood Cree from Saskatchewan. Lorraine and Joseph were married in 1955 and started their family. They moved to Clinton, BC at 8 Mile Ranch, then relocated to Whispering Pines in Kamloops. Lorraine was wife, foster mother, and ranch hand alongside her beloved Joseph, rodeo timer and secretary,Social Development Worker/Education Coordinator for Whispering Pine/Clinton Indian Band for many years, and was significant in the BC Natives Women’s Society and Aboriginal Education Council. She retired in May 2005. Lorraine also served as Band Administrator and Councillor for the Whispering Pine/Clinton Indian Band for a number of years. Lorraine was well known for her singing while Joseph played his guitar, and she also sang with a well-known Kamloops Band, the Thompson Valley Boys. Joe and Lorraine loved to dance.
Viewing/visitation will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 in the Rosewood Room at Kamloops Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will take place at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 in the Kamloops Funeral Home Chapel, 285 Fortune Drive. There will be a reception to follow.
4 Tributes
Daphne and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Blessings.
What I will remember most about Lorraine Lebourdais is the warm smile I would receive every time we would meet. My condolences to her wonderfully large family.
Condolences to the family. We have many memories and happy times with your parents at rodeos and when they lived at 8 mile.Hugs
Danny and Sandy Fletcher
Deepest sympathy to Lorraine’s family. Her dedication to education was unsurpassed. I will always be grateful for her support and friendship while she served on the Aboriginal Education Council in SD 73.
Dr. Renee Spence