Obituary for Huguette Rose Waghelstein
Huguette Waghelstein
February 24th, 1936 - January 19th, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom, devoted wife, and loving grandmother. Huguette “Hugy” Rose Waghelstein, (Guernon), took flight with her new, beautiful angel wings on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the tender age of 84. Her husband held her delicately beautiful hand, and her daughter lovingly held her close in her arms as she crossed over to her next journey.
Huguette was predeceased by her mother Lorette Guernon, sister Therese Guernon, and brother Jean-Paul Guernon (Francine), all of Montreal, QC. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Marven of Calgary, AB; son Tony (Zaida) of Surrey, BC; daughter Marlene (David) and her very precious grandson Jayme, all of Calgary, AB. Huguette had many siblings, Denis (Pierrette) Guernon, Robert (Nicole) Guernon, Claudette (Alain) Guidi, Ginette (Real) Turcotte, and Daniel (Jean-Pierre) Senecal, all of Montreal, QC, as well as her extended family, Leonard (Harriet) Waghelstein of West Palm Beach, FL, and Anita (Peter) Polsky-Carangelo of Tampa Bay, FL. Huguette had many nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered around from Calgary, Montreal, New York, and Florida.
Huguette was born in Montreal, Quebec. She grew up in a large family on the west side of the city. Huguette’s name has always been a point of conversation. She was known by many as Hugy. If you couldn’t pronounce her name, she would say with a big smile on her face, “all you got to do is remember is this, YOU GET WHAT YOU GET”! She worked in hospitals for most of her working life, from St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal to Foothills Hospital and Grace Hospital in Calgary, where she retired with the greatest gift to end her career took place, the birth of her grandson Jayme.
Hugy was known as the ‘life of the party’. Without question, if there was music and people dancing, she was there, dancing up a storm and grabbing anyone and everyone by the hand to join in. She was known to ‘cut a rug’ everywhere she went, but you didn’t have to go far. The parties that Marven and Hugy held were beyond legendary! When the evenings came to an end, Hugy would be found standing at the door with her guests giving them her usual ‘French Goodbye’ – meaning that another hour was added to the departure time.
Hugy never relented to her disease as she continued dancing, and brought her bubbly charm, caring ways, and personality with her into the dementia units she resided in, often leading everyone in dance and song. She was known for always taking care of everyone. That was Hugy. She developed a special bond with her neighbour Myra when they lived in Richmond area. When Myra’s husband passed, Hugy would check in on her every day and bring her dinners and treats, and just sit and chat for hours. She had the same bond with another neighbour, Rhea, whom she would sit with and talk about the old country. Whether you needed talking care of or not, she would do it anyway! She was always helping with things around the Lion’s Village, Marven and Hugy’s residence. She enjoyed putting up decorations and sitting with the ladies in the library just chatting for hours. We would like to acknowledge the kindness of the staff and tenants at Lion’s Village – she was well loved there.
When Hugy retired she began ‘crafting’, and she loved it so much. She would be seen at all the arts and craft shows. She even won a few accomplished awards, her most notable being from the Calgary Stampede where she won first place for one of her beautiful and special ‘lady-face’ pictures. Everyone loved her arts and crafts, and we are certain that every house in the city and vicinity have at least one of her Christmas decorations on their trees, or her artwork on their walls. Her love for making crafts extended to the Calgary Children’s Hospital where Hugy would make cute little items for the children and deliver them on an annual basis. She always received a wonderful letter of gratitude from the staff and children.
Everyone who knew Hugy knew that bingo was her favorite pastime. She could be seen at the Grey Eagle Casino at minimum three times a week. She would drag Marvy at least once a week kicking and screaming. She won amounts from $50 all the way up to a big win of $4,000. But we know our little Hugy; it went right back in to investing in bingo cards and her crafts. Bingo was more than just a game to her. It was her social time, wandering around the hall saying hello to everyone, because ‘everyone’ knew and loved her bubbly and loving personality! Her other favorite thing to do was to watch curling! She was obsessed with it. Sandra Schmirler was her top curler, and Hugy would watch tournaments at all hours of the day.
Her biggest love of all was her grandson, Jayme. She babysat him all the time, right up until he was 30 years old, LOL! When Jayme was at grandma’s, there were all kinds of activities and goings on, from dressing him up like Santa Claus and playing games to visiting the dinosaur museum and Heritage Park. She loved to spoil him with treats and snacks, and he would drive her crazy with watching Aladdin and The Lion King over and over and over again. Thank goodness for grandma, snapping pictures at every moment. She created quite the bank of memories for us. He was her “Little Jayme!”
Hugy’s family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Manor Village, Fish Creek, and Mackenzie Town Long Term Care. Everyone that was involved in her care was a huge part of her dementia journey, and we can't say enough about the tenderness and level of care they provided to her and her family. Many of her caregivers became family, and we are eternally grateful for their heartfelt compassion and support. We’d like to express a special acknowledgement to Ali and Lianne at Manor Village, who took extra special care of Hugy. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Mackenzie Town for the gracious and humble care they provided to the family in Hugy’s last days.
Hugy will be cremated at Choice Memorial Crematorium on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00 am. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date, (TBA). If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary or the Breast Cancer Foundation.
HUGY, YOU WLL BE SORELY MISSED AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS UNTIL THE END OF TIME – WE WILL ALWAYS CELEBRATE YOU WITH A ZAMBOOCIE SHOT! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, REST EASY SWEET WIFE, MOM, AND GRANDMA. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER!
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Huguette please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
February 24th, 1936 - January 19th, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mom, devoted wife, and loving grandmother. Huguette “Hugy” Rose Waghelstein, (Guernon), took flight with her new, beautiful angel wings on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the tender age of 84. Her husband held her delicately beautiful hand, and her daughter lovingly held her close in her arms as she crossed over to her next journey.
Huguette was predeceased by her mother Lorette Guernon, sister Therese Guernon, and brother Jean-Paul Guernon (Francine), all of Montreal, QC. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Marven of Calgary, AB; son Tony (Zaida) of Surrey, BC; daughter Marlene (David) and her very precious grandson Jayme, all of Calgary, AB. Huguette had many siblings, Denis (Pierrette) Guernon, Robert (Nicole) Guernon, Claudette (Alain) Guidi, Ginette (Real) Turcotte, and Daniel (Jean-Pierre) Senecal, all of Montreal, QC, as well as her extended family, Leonard (Harriet) Waghelstein of West Palm Beach, FL, and Anita (Peter) Polsky-Carangelo of Tampa Bay, FL. Huguette had many nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered around from Calgary, Montreal, New York, and Florida.
Huguette was born in Montreal, Quebec. She grew up in a large family on the west side of the city. Huguette’s name has always been a point of conversation. She was known by many as Hugy. If you couldn’t pronounce her name, she would say with a big smile on her face, “all you got to do is remember is this, YOU GET WHAT YOU GET”! She worked in hospitals for most of her working life, from St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal to Foothills Hospital and Grace Hospital in Calgary, where she retired with the greatest gift to end her career took place, the birth of her grandson Jayme.
Hugy was known as the ‘life of the party’. Without question, if there was music and people dancing, she was there, dancing up a storm and grabbing anyone and everyone by the hand to join in. She was known to ‘cut a rug’ everywhere she went, but you didn’t have to go far. The parties that Marven and Hugy held were beyond legendary! When the evenings came to an end, Hugy would be found standing at the door with her guests giving them her usual ‘French Goodbye’ – meaning that another hour was added to the departure time.
Hugy never relented to her disease as she continued dancing, and brought her bubbly charm, caring ways, and personality with her into the dementia units she resided in, often leading everyone in dance and song. She was known for always taking care of everyone. That was Hugy. She developed a special bond with her neighbour Myra when they lived in Richmond area. When Myra’s husband passed, Hugy would check in on her every day and bring her dinners and treats, and just sit and chat for hours. She had the same bond with another neighbour, Rhea, whom she would sit with and talk about the old country. Whether you needed talking care of or not, she would do it anyway! She was always helping with things around the Lion’s Village, Marven and Hugy’s residence. She enjoyed putting up decorations and sitting with the ladies in the library just chatting for hours. We would like to acknowledge the kindness of the staff and tenants at Lion’s Village – she was well loved there.
When Hugy retired she began ‘crafting’, and she loved it so much. She would be seen at all the arts and craft shows. She even won a few accomplished awards, her most notable being from the Calgary Stampede where she won first place for one of her beautiful and special ‘lady-face’ pictures. Everyone loved her arts and crafts, and we are certain that every house in the city and vicinity have at least one of her Christmas decorations on their trees, or her artwork on their walls. Her love for making crafts extended to the Calgary Children’s Hospital where Hugy would make cute little items for the children and deliver them on an annual basis. She always received a wonderful letter of gratitude from the staff and children.
Everyone who knew Hugy knew that bingo was her favorite pastime. She could be seen at the Grey Eagle Casino at minimum three times a week. She would drag Marvy at least once a week kicking and screaming. She won amounts from $50 all the way up to a big win of $4,000. But we know our little Hugy; it went right back in to investing in bingo cards and her crafts. Bingo was more than just a game to her. It was her social time, wandering around the hall saying hello to everyone, because ‘everyone’ knew and loved her bubbly and loving personality! Her other favorite thing to do was to watch curling! She was obsessed with it. Sandra Schmirler was her top curler, and Hugy would watch tournaments at all hours of the day.
Her biggest love of all was her grandson, Jayme. She babysat him all the time, right up until he was 30 years old, LOL! When Jayme was at grandma’s, there were all kinds of activities and goings on, from dressing him up like Santa Claus and playing games to visiting the dinosaur museum and Heritage Park. She loved to spoil him with treats and snacks, and he would drive her crazy with watching Aladdin and The Lion King over and over and over again. Thank goodness for grandma, snapping pictures at every moment. She created quite the bank of memories for us. He was her “Little Jayme!”
Hugy’s family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Manor Village, Fish Creek, and Mackenzie Town Long Term Care. Everyone that was involved in her care was a huge part of her dementia journey, and we can't say enough about the tenderness and level of care they provided to her and her family. Many of her caregivers became family, and we are eternally grateful for their heartfelt compassion and support. We’d like to express a special acknowledgement to Ali and Lianne at Manor Village, who took extra special care of Hugy. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Mackenzie Town for the gracious and humble care they provided to the family in Hugy’s last days.
Hugy will be cremated at Choice Memorial Crematorium on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00 am. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date, (TBA). If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary or the Breast Cancer Foundation.
HUGY, YOU WLL BE SORELY MISSED AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS UNTIL THE END OF TIME – WE WILL ALWAYS CELEBRATE YOU WITH A ZAMBOOCIE SHOT! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, REST EASY SWEET WIFE, MOM, AND GRANDMA. WE LOVE YOU FOREVER!
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Huguette please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.