On October 10th 2023, my Aunt Carole passed away. She was 75, and as her brother writes, “her cancer returned with complications.” She was predeceased by her parents (my grandparents) Leopold Buteau (1918-1999) and Philippine Maillet (1922-2007) and her brother, Gaetan (1949-2022). She was married to Joe Finella.

I have lots of fond memories of Aunt Carole, who was also my godmother. Looking back at photos from our childhood, there’s a record of our visits over the years, the times we travelled the thousands of miles between Saskatchewan and Ontario.

For a few years, as the oldest and only grandchild on my mom’s side of the family, I was showered with attention. When I was a baby, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Carole and Uncle Joe came to Saskatoon. A little older, Mom, Pa and I went to Ontario.

I was showered with attention… and gifts…

When my siblings came along, there was still just as much attention, just as many gifts. As the holidays approached, we would get these giant boxes full of gifts for under the tree, and baked goodies. Mom didn’t bake cookies, but Grandma and Aunt Carole made it completely unnecessary for her to do so… I remember Whipped Shortbread Cookies, Peanut Butter Rice Crispie Squares, Fruitcake Cookies, Jam Thumbprints, Peanut Butter Cookies, Molasses Cookies, Snowball Cookies, and Pecan Loaf.

Aunt Carole, and Uncle Joe with her, was a welcoming host. Here, recently moved into a new home, she sent my mom this polaroid with the caption in her signature handwriting:

And we came!

And we stayed in Aunt Carole’s impeccably decorated house:

I can so easily recall Aunt Carole’s voice, her cheerfulness with us kids and her self-deprecating humor. This polaroid is a little example… it is one of a series of polaroids showing my parents Uncle Joe’s new building. She didn’t take the shot since she’s inadvertently in it…

Aunt Carole and Uncle Joe welcomed me again, in 2004 when, on my way to Manitoba from Quebec, I stayed awhile at their place in Grimsby. During my stay, she taught me how to crochet and read crochet patterns, a skill I still practice and one that helped me pass the time during the pandemic when the kids were doing school online. Looking at photos, I spy my Aunt’s handiwork throughout our childhood home… My bedroom, pictured here when I was in grade 6, (my little brother is the cute intruder) features FOUR crochet blankets!

Aunt Carole was a charming, cozifying presence as I was growing up and it was a privilege to be able to attend her funeral on the 16th. The 24 hours I spent in Niagara Falls, visiting the horseshoe falls, meeting Uncle Joe’s side of the family, and hurrying home to be back at my post for my own kids, felt like an appropriate way of paying homage to my Aunt who admired what was beautiful and showed a faithful devotion to family. If I could say one thing to my Aunt Carole, it would be Thank-you!