THERRIEN, Alice Yvonne Marie (née Duclos)

February 28, 1938 — November 18, 2024

Born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, to Maurice and Yvonne Duclos, Alice’s first few months of life were struck with tragedy when her mother and two siblings perished in a house fire.  She was brought up by her paternal grandmother until her father remarried (Cécile Carignan) and became the eldest of a family of 9 children.

Alice showed great strength, courage, and resilience all her life. After graduating from school, she completed a teacher’s certificate and, with a friend, moved to the small community of Laurier, Manitoba to teach in a one-room school. There, she met her husband, Ray Therrien, and was welcomed into the Therrien family.  Alice and Ray moved between Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia, having three children along the way: Carol, Gail and Tracey. During this time Alice worked several jobs and supported Ray in his business adventures including taxis and logging companies, an orchard, bus companies and tour businesses. They settled in Williams Lake and later in Penticton, then Kelowna, where Alice successfully owned and operated a business for over 20 years – her hair salon: Alice’s Place.

Alice was always up for adventures and had little time for sitting still. Whether it was travelling and exploring countries around the world, yearly family road trips to Manitoba or a simple Sunday drive, she seized these opportunities to experience something new.

Alice’s kindness and generosity shone through in her lifelong commitment to volunteering and always wanting to lend a helping hand.  Even after losing her daughter Gail, she found time and strength to continue volunteering, run a business – all the while being a caring and attentive grandmother and great-grandmother to Gail’s children.

Alice’s life is a testament to strength and the virtues of kindness and empathy – she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband Ray; daughters Carol and Tracey; son-in-law Brett; grandchildren, Devi (Garred), Courtenay (Gordie) and Lucas (Cayman); great-grandchildren, Austin, Gavyn, Cody, Carl, Forrest, Sam, Maeva and Kesler; as well as her sisters Monique, Jeannette (Gene), Gabrielle (Alec), Marianne (Bill) and brothers, Gilbert, Roger (Roselyne) and Normand (Denise), Rachelle wife of decesed brother Gerry; her brothers- and sisters-in-law: Roger and Rita Therrien, Barb Therrien and Leo and Doris Therrien and Lucille Lemieux. Plus, the many nephews, nieces, and cousins. She loved you all and considered herself fortunate for being part of this incredible extended family.

A celebration of life will take place in 2025, when the weather is warm, the sun shining, birds singing and flowers blossoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Alice’s name to the Central Okanagan Hospice House.

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