Our sweet mother, Joan Adèle Colby (née Parent) passed away April 2, 2018, aged 79 years, finally succumbing to pancreatic cancer.
Adèle took life by the horns and lived every stage with passion, intensity and fun - leaving friends and family with loving, inspiring and often hilarious memories.

Born and raised in Ottawa, she attended Notre Dame Convent. She came of age in the 1950’s and remembers Elvis coming to the Civic Centre (!); decided not to become a nun; married and was a mother by age 22, raising four rambunctious children. Barry’s career as a dashing young software programmer with IBM saw them transferred across multiple cities in the next two decades including several years in England and back to the Gatineau Hills. Like a savvy field general, Adele could pack, move, unpack and settle into each new location with lethal efficiency. The years in England led to frequent European travel with the whole family and Adèle returned to Canada with even more glamour and flair than she had before.

She entered the workforce at age 37 and spent the early part of her career as a tour guide in Ottawa and later at Government House; undertook roles as Social Secretary to Gaetana Enders, the wife of the US Ambassador to Canada and then was Executive Assistant to Charles Lapointe, Minister of Supply and Services under the Liberal government. She transitioned into the federal public service in 1984 where she began a 20-year career in the Departments of Public Works and Supply and Services, respectively. She was very proud to have reached the executive level before ending her career, embodying in so many ways the great strides of her generation of women who entered the workforce after raising their children, and broke historic barriers for their daughters.

Her volunteering years followed with Chestmates, her Dragon boat team and leadership roles in Breast Cancer Action Kingston, and the Grandmothers of the Lake who raised money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation of Grandmothers of Africa, raising money for children of victims of AIDS. Adèle travelled to Africa at age 73 fulfilling her dream of meeting with the communities she had worked so hard to support, and served as an inspirational speaker thereafter.

And then there were the grandmothering years – her greatest act of all. From party dresses to gingerbread houses, Christmas, cuddles, stories and sweet treats, Nanny was the source of all things wonderful and connected with all of her nine grandchildren, constantly, from Victoria to Ottawa.

Adèle lived through eight fascinating decades and was part of the action and adventure at every turn. She loved family, politics, community, travel and her work. She hated camping. She loved family events, singing, laughing and enjoying her beloved country homes over the years and leaves a vibrant healthy family who will remember her fondly.

Survived by her beloved husband of 58 years Barry; children, Lisa (Eric Kaufmanis), Karen (the late Paul Stothart), Grant (Claudette) and Krista (Matt Wheatley); and grandchildren: Sophie, Sarah, Alexander, Juliana, Samantha, Julia, Charlotte, Fiona and Lauren. Also survived by her brothers Roland Parent (Janet) and Charles Parent (Beverly), sister Claire Denis (Jean); and brother-in-law William Colby (Patricia). Preceded in death by her parents Charles Etienne Parent, Kathleen Anne Little, sister Bernadette Tubman (Lawrence), brother Paul Parent (Sheila) and sister in law Barbara Hawes (Ronnie).

A Celebration of Adèle’s Life will be held Sunday April 8th, 2:00 - 4:00p.m. at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa).


Celebration of Life
Sunday, April 8, 2018 / 2:00 – 4:00pm
Borden and Fleming Suites

Memorial Remarks and Musical Program
2:45 – 3:15pm

Master of Ceremonies
Grant Colby

Speakers
Krista Colby-Wheatley
Dan Hawes

Musical Tribute
Meditation by Jules Massenet
Bryan Cheng, on Cello

Ave Maria [Bach/Gounud]
&
I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Charlotte Colby, Voice
Bryan Cheng, on Cello