LETTER

------ Micheline Lemieux's passing

 

Last week, I lost a dear friend, as did many in our community. Micheline Lemieux was one of the best known of our neighbours.   Never short on energy, she stayed involved with Aylmer's major events -- as president of the Aylmer Heritage Association, or just as a concerned citizen, helping to make our neighbourhood a better place.

Our friendship began as we campaigned for a better deal for Place des Pionniers. Bothered by the lack of transparency on this file, we compiled evidence to show that the project could be greatly improved. Although this was not considered by the city, Micheline, an eternal optimist, never gave up.

For local history, she was the most knowledgeable person I’ve met -- from the region’s plants to its best shops.  Walking around the neighbourhood with her, it seemed she knew everyone by name.

As her health became more fragile in recent years, she refused to slow down.  In the end, her passing was sudden. There were no goodbyes, as she would have preferred.

Her legacy will be her positive thinking and bringing neighbours together. She recognized Aylmer's creativity and worked to nurture it. Now it’s up to us to carry on for her. 

Ian Barrett

Aylmer