Obituary of Simone Empson

B I O G R A P H Y EMPSON: Simone Empson (nee Ayotte) of Lloydminster passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at the age of 86 years. Simone will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 65 years, Richard "Dick" Empson; her children Bryan (Gisèle), Denis (Doraine), Johnette (Bill) Downie, Deryl (Mary Ann), and Simone (Ed) Findlay; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by sisters Denise (Gordon) Fraser and Lorraine Anderson, and brothers David (Madeleine) and Alfred (Renée). She was predeceased by her parents, Alexandre and Emma Ayotte, sisters Annette (Louis) McDonald and Cécile (John) Nykiforuk, and brothers Léo (Florence), Philippe (Florence), Georges (Inez), Jean-René (Sheila) and Charles. Simone will be remembered for her strength and determination in times of adversity, her deep and unwavering faith, her service to her church and to her community and her devotion to her family. A prayer service for Simone was conducted from St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial was conducted from St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. with Father Jan Sobkowicz officiating. A eulogy was given by Vince O'Shea. Music was provided by Donna Weston, Marlene and Mel Risling. Active pallbearers were the grandchildren. Interment of ashes will take place in Manitoba in the summer of 2008. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Donations in memory of Simone may be made to the Libbie Young Centre Inc.