Collette LeFrançois

Photo: Collette LeFrançois, Honolulu, 2012

1978 - 2026

Collette Marie LeFrançois died at home, at peace, the 29th of September 2026. Her presence in all our lives is profoundly missed. Beauty, vitality, sincerity. Generosity, hospitality, hilarity. Such words only begin to describe Collette’s brilliant spirit.

We carry Collette in our hearts forever, touched by her endless and selfless heartwarming gestures; her spectacular dinner parties, tablescapes, cakes, and celebrations; her patient teaching in calm, welcoming, and astonishingly clean classrooms; her poise, centredness and spiritual grounding; her affinity for history, travel, not-too-honky-tonk playlists, dancing in the kitchen, potty humour, movies with popcorn, mountain pose to shavasana; and so many more of her wonderful, one-of-a-kind characteristics.

She was welcomed to eternal life especially by her dad, Denis, and Grandpa Ray alongside all the ancestors who knew and loved her, escorted by her beloved kitties on the bed. Her daughters, Maggie and Sasha, and husband of 25 years, Jeremy, hold her dearly as their mum and wife. Holly, Cristin, Michael, and Katherine continue to love Collette as only siblings can, while her mom, Arlene, and Ed take pride and honour in the fabulous daughter they raised. Cherishing her like their own are Andy, Jean, Chris, Amy, Ben, Derek, Kelly, John, and others. And her close-as-kin friends in Ottawa embrace Collette as tightly as the clan in Saskatchewan and beyond.

We are indebted to Collette’s compassionate doctors and nurses for joining her journey at The Ottawa Hospital and at home. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or other causes dear to Collette are gratefully acknowledged. A celebration of Collette’s life takes place at the Knox United Church on Sunday, October 11, 2026. From 1:30 - 2:30pm, we welcome you over Elvis gospel while the family collects your written notes, stories, printed photos, memes, or tiny reminders of Collette to add to our memento box. The memorial service starts at 2:30pm. Optional lunch follows. Collette’s after life party continues in Ottawa at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Saturday, October 17, with welcoming music and memento collection from 2:00pm, celebratory service at 2:30, and Collette's favourite happy hour food and drinks right after.