We Remember
LaFontaine, Sonia
—
Passed away Sept 14, 2012 at the age of 73. Survived by her loving husband Roger LaFontaine and two daughters Karen McGuckin (Richard) of Abbotsford, BC and Jennifer LaFontaine of Toronto, Ontario, one son David LaFontaine (Kathy) of Kelowna, BC, six grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Jesse, Matthew, Hannah, Nicholas and Benjamin, brother Steve Mazur, (Irene) of Enderby, BC, and sister Anne Tibbott (Dean) of Kirkland, Washington.
Sonia returned to the Okanagan in 1964 with her husband, Roger, when they both started teaching Physical Education at Rutland High School. She became a stay-at-home mom and raised an active family. They enjoyed traveling, camping, skiing at Big White, and attending swim meets throughout the province. At age fifty, she returned to university to complete her degree. She worked as an Itinerant Resource Teacher, creating specialized programming for Special Needs students. In retirement she enjoyed traveling, swimming, and volunteering at the Kelowna Community Theatre. A very special time for her was gathering her entire family at Lake Okanagan Resort each summer. She was the number one fan at her grandchildren’s dance recitals, soccer and baseball games, school performances, and basketball tournaments. We will all miss her beautiful eyes, warm greetings, and encouraging support for all.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 22, 2012 at 4pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society.
Service
Saturday September 22, 2012 at 4pm
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
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Central Okanagan Bursary and Scholarship Society
Service Information
Service Details
The service for LaFontaine, Sonia is scheduled for Saturday September 22, 2012 at 4pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Mrs. Lafontaine used to be my resource teacher at Springvalley Middle School. She will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace 🙁
I am sorry to hear of Sonia’s sudden passing. I came to know her and Roger though our joint participation as enthusiastic followers of Kaitlyn’s and Charlotte’s basketball adventures. I saw the two of them at the Three-On-Three competition a few weeks ago. Sonia always remebered my name and was kindly indulgent of my lack of basketball knowledge. I will miss her. Please extend my sympathies to Roger and the rest of her extended family.
Don Lewthwaite
Dear Roger, Dave, Kathy and family. My blessings to you and the entire family. Such warm memories of Sonia at the Children’s Hospital funraisers. What a beatiful lady!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Warmth and hugs. Lisa and Mike
To Dave & Kathy & family
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom & Grandma. May your wonderful memories give you comfort at this time.
God Bless
Patt & Sam DiMaria & family
My deepest sympathy to you all …….
Anita Andreasen
Thought I’d share this beautiful poem:
A rose once grew
where all could see,
sheltered beside
a garden wall,
And as the days passed
swiftly by,
it spread its branches, straight and tall….
One day, a beam of light
shone through
a crevice that had
opened wide ~
The rose bent gently
toward its warmth
then passed beyond
to the other side
Now, you who deeply
feel its loss,
be comforted ~ the rose blooms there ~
Its beauty even greater now,
nurtured by
God’s own loving care.
© Author Unknown
Dear Roger, Karen, Jennifer,David, and family members. Sue and I are so shocked of Sonia’s passing at still such a young age. Our memories of Sonia and your entire family go back for many years. We hope you all the best at this sad time and know that family and friends can comfort you all at this sad time. Unfortunately Sue and I are leaving for a planned vacation and will not be able to attend Sonia’s service.
Rest in peace – Ivars & Sue Dravinskis
On behalf of the Executive Council and all members of the BCBOA, I wish to express deepest sympathies to Roger and the entire family.
We trust that you will be comforted by warm and loving memories.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved mother and grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
When I was very young, Aunt Sonia was still in High School and I was living with her family. One day I found an old wooden school ruler which had red “squiggles” on the back. I knew this to be writing and asked Sonia what it said. “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” she replied. I asked her what this meant and her explanation astounded me. I thought ” if these few words can have so much meaning, what’s in a book?” This prompted Sonia to help me learn to read and began a lifelong love of language. Sonia would have been 15 or 16 at the time. This love of teaching, of children and of life never wavered. I will miss her dearly.
To Jennifer, Emmy, Roger, Karen, and David, and all the rest of your beautiful family, we are so sad about losing Sonia. It was her beauty and happiness that helped make you the wonderful people you are today. May you find comfort in knowing that our thoughts and prayers are with you. And, as the great poet Kahlil Gibran wrote: “When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
May you find comfort in knowing what a delight Sonia was to all who met her.
With love,
Zesta, Jamie, Matilda, and Roger
Oh Jen. We are both so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope that you will hear stories from family and friends while you’re in BC and that they will sometimes make you smile, thinking about your mom. I hope that you are taking care of each other and I want you to know that we are happy to take care of you too whenever you are back in Toronto.
Dear Roger please know that our thoughts are with you and everyone in the family for this terrible loss, our sincerest condolences for you all, love from Emily and Nikolai
I am very sorry to read of the passing of Sonia.My condolences go out to you and your family.
The Kros
Thinking about you during this time of your loss.
Your memories will always be treasured.
Roger & family…..We will miss Sonya so very much. We will miss watching her in the flower garden. It’s hard to believe that we have been neighbors for 38years watching each of our children grow up into wonderful adults. Remember to keep the memories alive. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. Those you love don’t go away….They walk beside you Ever Day.
Roger & family,
I am so sorry to hear of Sonia’s passing. I have known you both for nearly 50 years – amazing how time flys and how times change. Please know I care and understand the sorrow you are feeling at this difficult time. May it be a comfort knowing others are thinking of you with caring thoughts and friendship.
Gail Fortney
Roger, Jennifer and family, we were so sad to hear of your loss. We will miss Sonia’s warmth, her joyful spirit and her keen interest in everyone she met. You are in our thoughts and hearts.
With much love,
Meredith, Andy and Penny
LaFontaine family,
A wife and mother is the glue that holds a family together … in so many ways. Sonia was a fine classy lady who stood along side of all of family in all the your busy worlds. God bless her. We as a community, will deeply miss her smile, energy and support to all of us.In so many ways, Sonia was part of everyones family.
Bill Lang and family
Roger & Family . . . So saddened to hear of Sonia’s passing. Cherish your memories & all those moments, special & otherwise, that you all shared. You’re in our thoughts & prayers as you mourn your loss.
With love, Bernie & Ev
I have many fond childhood memories of spending time with your family. I clearly remember Sonia and Jenny picking me up from Kindergarten the day my little sister Renee was born, going to Old MacDonald’s Farm for Jenny’s birthday and almost forgetting to eat the cupcakes, swinging on the hammock in the backyard, playing in the camper, and so much more. Thank you for those warm memories! I remember Sonia’s bright eyes and the smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen. I hope you find solace in the wealth of memories you have built as a family and know that you will see her again one day. Time makes love grow stronger and you will have many memories to draw on for strength. All my best to your family.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Stanford Cherry and family
As a resource teacher that joined the school district in 1993, I always looked to Sonia for knowledge, a kind word & encouragement. Sonia always had a smile on her face and after her retirment I would see her at community events and I would seek her out to enjoy a pleasant conversation that always was joyful and uplifting. Blessings to her family as I know many of you well. We know that Sonia is in heaven looking down on us and still smiling.
Roger and Family: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You and Sonia were so important in my life and have contributed so much to the community. Our deepest sympathies,
Maureen and Tim Rieger.
Roger and family, we are very saddended to hear of the loss of Sonia. We always thought of her as a warm and generous lady. We know she will be missed by many.
Dave, Kathy, Roger and family.
I was shocked to hear about Sonia and my heart feels heavy with the sadness of her passing. You have a strong family that will help each of you thru this difficult time, and in time, the memories will only grow and help fill the emptiness in your heart that you are feeling right now. Sonia was a beautfiul woman, and she touched so many. Our deepest sympathies.
Lynne, Charlie, Quincy and Mackenzie Johnson
Roger and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Sonia’s passing. She has been such a warm, competent,and energetic woman. I will always remember Sonia’s warm welcome, sense of humour, and support when I started teaching with Roger.
Soia will be greatly missed but wonderful memories of her will long be cherished by her many friends and her dear family.
Having had the privilege of working with Sonia I was deeply saddened to learn of her passing. Her pleasant support was appreciated by her students and peers. Sonia’s cheerful smile, kind and helpful demeanor, and her willingness to always do something extra was appreciated by all who knew her. Roger, may you and your family, at this time, draw on the warm memories and smiles of Sonia.
Dear Rodger, Karen, Jennifer and David and the many grandkids. I am so grateful to have gotten to know Sonia over the years since I married her nephew. The last time I saw her she was in the Seattle area with Kaitlyn and a freind on an annual shopping trip. Her love for her grandchildren and delight in them was so evident. We will truly miss her warm smile and kind heart. Love and prayers, Margaret and Neil and family.