Obituary of Beverly Faye Desjarlais

DESJARLAIS: Beverly Faye Desjarlais passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Thursday, March 15th, 2018. Bev leaves to mourn her three sons and their families: Kris and Deanna (Ginn), of Brandon, Steven and Michelle (nee Beaurivage), of Thompson, and Patrick and Charlene (Rowson), of Brandon. She is cherished by her 11 grandchildren: Emily, Benjamin, Gillian (Kris); Tyler, Tristen, Ethan, Gabrielle, Samantha, and Hayden (Steven), and Thomas and Charlie (Patrick). She will be lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, and their children around the globe. Bev is survived by her siblings Jeannette Nowoselsky of Saskatoon, Dennis Nowoselsky of Prince Albert, Carolyn Haroulakis of Purvis, MS, Dianne Martin (Fred) of Regina, Barry Nowoselsky (Darla) of Regina, Audrey Graham (Bob) of Winnipeg, and Alan Nowoselsky of Belleville, ON. Bev was predeceased by her parents, John and Esther (nee Johnson) Nowoselsky, parents-in-law, Irene and Louis Desjarlais, sister Patsy Nowoselsky, and granddaughter, Herra Desjarlais. Bev was born on August 19, 1955, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Her childhood was spent in Green Lake, and later Lebret, in the Fort Qu'Appelle area. A hard worker, Bev had full-time summer jobs beginning at the age of 12. Bev was known for saying, "I've never done a job I didn't like," and she certainly had a range of experience: gas station attendant, ward clerk, airport security, nurses' aide, college instructor, and of course, a 9-year career as Member of Parliament, Churchill Riding. An amazing spirit, Bev managed all of this while building meaningful relationships with her children and grandchildren, upon whom she doted with passion. Bev lived a life of service that included chairing the Mystery Lake School Board, volunteering with the Thompson Minor Hockey Association, representing the United Food and Commercial Workers union, leading Beavers and Cubs, active membership in the NDP association, fundraising for A Port in the Storm, and always pitching in where she saw the need. As an MP, Bev worked tirelessly on behalf of every constituent. No concern went unheard; neither was any issue deemed too large or small for Bev to tackle if it mattered to someone in her riding. She was known on Parliament Hill as the unofficial social convenor, often taking new staff members under her wing. Bev was the NDP critic for Housing and the Treasury Board, as well as the party's representative on the House of Commons Transport committee. Bev was well-known for her determination and strength, fighting for pay equity, indigenous rights to self- government, worker safety, and many other important issues in our nation. Bev continued to serve Canadians in her work with Veterans' Affairs. Above all of her other achievements and interests, Bev was passionate about being with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, which is how she spent her all-too-brief retirement. A Celebration of Bev's Life will be held at Knox United Church, 451-18th Street, on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Joe Ball officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Beverly may be made to the Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) Coalition, 9935-D Rea Road, #212, Charlotte, NC, USA, 28277.