GRAD (JACOB), Alvina Elizabeth, of Laval QC, formerly of Regina, SK.
We are sad to announce the passing of Alvina on July 26, 2023. Alvina passed away peacefully while asleep after a short and sudden battle with illness.
Alvina was predeceased by her husband Gil in 2021; her father Stephen and mother Elizabeth; her brothers Leonard, Tony, Joe; her nephew Stephen; sisters-in-law Ella and Shirley. She is survived by her son Ryan (Cindy) and granddaughters Abigail, Allison and Avery of Laval, QC; her step sons Gil Jr. and Ken (Rhonda); her brothers Alfred (Helen) Jacob and Ed (Myrna) Jacob of Weyburn; and many nieces and nephews.
Born Dec. 15, 1941 in Weyburn, Sk., Alvina had many fond memories of growing up on the family farm near McTaggart. She attended school at McTaggart, Weyburn and Regina. She lived in Sask. most of her life except for a few years when she and her husband Gil moved to Quebec to be close to their son and family.
Alvina enjoyed life, and especially her family. She was a very involved mother. Whether it was at the school as a representative for Canadian Parents for French, or volunteering as a driver, fund raiser or just a cheer leader and fan, she always involved herself in hers son’s activities. She retired from the Provincial Government/Regina –Qu’Appelle Health District after 35 years and then worked at her “retirement job” as a care giver/companion for a private elder support service. Her compassionate nature and love of helping people found her also volunteering at a hospital soon after her move to Laval. Her life was devoted to helping people. She put other people before herself and was a very empathetic person. She had an unbelievable ability to recall birthdays, anniversaries and any other dates that were important to herself or to someone else.
Alvina enjoyed travelling and exploring new places. Before her permanent move to Quebec, she had many back and forth trips to Montreal where she was known to take off walking around different parts of the city for hours at a time. She travelled from coast to coast in Canada and everywhere in between, across the USA many times, and to Jamaica. Upon retirement, she finally got to go on her European trip that she had been waiting her whole life for, visiting nine countries.
Alvina had a love for nature spending many hours in parks walking, biking, picnicking or relaxing and for many years, spending some quiet time at her brother’s cottage at White Bear Lake. She loved reading books, art (she collected works of art by many Sask. artists) and especially loud music -attending the symphony, rock concerts, country music shows, Broadwaymusicals and had an extensive music collection. She loved animals, especially horses and cats. She enjoyed playing the piano, taking classes, watching movies and spent many hours trying to learn to speak French. Her “greatest joy in life” right until her end, however, was being able to spend as much time as possible with her granddaughters Abigail, Allison and Avery.
Alvina will return home to Saskatchewan one final time. Her inurnment will take place on August 12Th at 11:00 am in McTaggart Cemetery, followed by lunch and refreshments at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall at 150 3rd St NE, in Weyburn.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and tributes page at leaderpost.remembering.ca and on legacy.com through the (Weyburn Review)
Cooperative Funeraire du Grand Montreal is in charge of arrangements.
