Dr Lucie Lavoie

Dr Lucie Lavoie passed away peacefully at her home on Monday October, 31, 2022 at the age of 96.

Loving daughter of Alfred Lavoie and Eugénie Banville, sister of the late Rita and the late Jean-Marc (Louise) Lavoie. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Carlo Melillo. Cherished mother of Nina (Jeano), Lili (Terry), Pia (Jean-Pierre) and Mario (Andie). Adored grandmother of Jean-Philippe (Katie), Pierre-Paul, Tristan (Julie), Adriana, Olivia, Hugo, Camelia, Patrick and Alexander, and great-grandmother of Skyler, Riley and Henri.

Born in Rimouski, Lucie studied medicine at Université de Montreal, graduating with honours in 1951 as one of five women in a class of over a hundred men. Modest and unassuming yet strong willed and fiercely independent, she quietly blazed her trail. Widowed at a young age, she took on life’s challenges with courage and grace, working at the Institut Médical Psychologique and the CLSC in Outremont while raising her four children. A voracious reader with a keen intellect, she was a fount of knowledge on all subjects. She loved nature, her roses, her cats. She was devoted to her family and a wonderful cook, welcoming every opportunity to gather her noisy brood and celebrate life with delicious, plentiful meals. She taught us the value of hard work, of living the life you want and of being your own person.

We will miss you terribly, Maman, but we take comfort in knowing you will always be with us.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932

The family would like to thank all her healthcare workers in Hudson and Outremont for their kind care. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, if you feel so inclined, donations could be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.