Mary Jane 'Lyla' Thevenot

Peacefully on April 28, 2025, Lyla Thevenot passed away at the St. Claude Pavillion at the age of 92 years.

Lyla was born on the family homestead near Haywood, MB on November 4, 1932, to her loving parents Andrew and Josephine Morisseau.

Left to treasure a life fully lived are her children Stella Dyck (Henry Dirks), Bruce (Carole) Bugg, Marilyn Belanger, Theresa (Jack) Tinsley, Ernie Thevenot and Irene Wicklund (Glen Johnson), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and last surviving sibling Alice Riggs, as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and a special god-child Margie Baldwin.

Lyla was predeceased by her parents and siblings Andrew Morriseau, Jeanne Morisseau, Claudette Andrushuk, Peter Morisseau, Theresa Jackson, Madeline Provo and Romeo Morisseau, and sons-in-law Wayne Dyck and Greg Belanger.

Lyla attended Bazin School, not far from the family homestead and began her life working on homesteads in the surrounding area, helping and caring for families whose wives were in hospital. Many of these children have visited and kept in touch. She would work on farms helping out with any type of chores or field work that needed to be done. She was a “Jane of all trades”. Later she had her own family and remained in the area where she settled back on the Thevenot farm.

Lyla loved and enjoyed many family gatherings and visits with friends for tea. She had an immense love for music. She liked to sing and played not only the fiddle, but also the guitar, banjo, piano / organ, accordion, harp and harmonica. There was always music involved whether at home with her cassettes or fiddling contests.

She loved her garden and flowers. Lyla spent many days picking berries with friends or family and then canning or baking. Bingo was a highlight that she enjoyed with friends. She also enjoyed sewing leather moccasins and mitts for the MMF with her sister Claudette, then she went on to make them for friends and family. Knitting, crocheting and crafting of any kind was always a part of her daily routine, as we all know, as she always gave us knitted socks, mitts or moccasins to keep us warm. Nature was also a love, especially birds and animals. Lyla was a very loving and caring person, always sharing something with you – especially her hugs & kisses and for sure “goodies” and mints. If she thought you needed something, she would make sure you got it. She made many friends and loved the visits from her homecare staff over the years.

Many thanks to all her caregivers who became her extended family.

She will surely be missed by all.

Love you forever Mommy!

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Denis Roman Catholic Church in Haywood, MB on Monday, May 5, 2025. Eulogy and slideshow at 1:00 pm followed by Mass at 1:30 pm with Father Peter Le Van Ngu officiating. Burial will follow in the Haywood Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Lyla’s memory to St. Claude Pavillion Recreation Department, Southern Health Box 400, St. Claude, MB R0G 1Z0 or to Osteoporosis Canada, https://osteoporosis.ca/.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com