Obituary of Louise Angela Sabourin

Louise A. Sabourin died peacefully at home in London, Ontario, on Friday October 4, 2024. She will be mourned by many, especially by Paul, her best friend and husband of 64 years. Louise was a devoted mother to Tom (Jane) of Oakville, Paula (Robert Edwards) of Oakville/London and John (Pam) of London. Louise will be cherished forever as Nonna to nine grandchildren: Paul Sabourin, Anne (Joel) Quaranto, Luke (Stephanie) Sabourin, Kathleen Edwards, Stephanie Edwards (Angus McKay), Jack Edwards (Sydney Hussey), Patrick Sabourin, Megan Sabourin (Kale Bilger), and Joseph Sabourin. Louise’s final days were blessed when she was able to meet her first great-grandchild, Sullivan Quaranto. Louise is also survived by her siblings Stephanie, Linda, and John Gasparini; as well as her sister-in-law, Margaret Sabourin, and many nieces and nephews.

Still playing golf, making pies and dancing at her grandson's wedding in June, Louise and her family were surprised with a diagnosis of cancer in August. Ever pragmatic and efficient, Louise got busy: speaking and visiting with her large family and her loyal group of friends, chatting and laughing right up to her final week. Even the staff at The Verspeeten Family Cancer Center were amazed by her apparent strength and fitness, a tribute to her years of good living, healthy diet, and active lifestyle which included the basics of walking, golfing and non-stop “tidying up”.

Louise Angela was born on April 27, 1937 in Fort Frances, Ontario. She was the eldest daughter of Vincent and Eliza Gasparini and she helped raise her five sisters and brothers. She left the tiny mill town of Fort Frances and trained as a nurse in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) graduating as a RN in 1957. She met Paul there, married him in 1960 and had three children in quick order. They relocated to London Ontario in 1967, after stops in Winnipeg and Toronto. Louise stayed at home but was never idle. She was an involved mother and wife who also found time to curl, ski, play bridge (she was a member with her bridge club for more than fifty years!), and to golf (five lifetime holes in one!) all while volunteering at Community Living, Catholic Women's League, and Sunningdale Golf Club. In later years, Paul and Louise were fortunate enough to enjoy a cottage in Grand Bend and a condo in Florida. This allowed Mom to indulge in her three main passions: family, friends and golf. A member of Sunningdale Golf Club since 1977, she was a board member and Women’s President in 1993. When not golfing and visiting with family Louise joined Paul to travel the world. They made friends and had fantastic meals on every continent.

Loved by her family and friends for her great attitude and fun sense of humour, Louise was a role model for so much: her immaculate and welcoming home, her common-sense point of view and advice, her great cooking, and her ease of entertaining. She was an avid reader, and she loved watching PBS. She skated with some of her grandchildren when she was 83, hiked in the Canadian Rockies when she was 84 years old and hoped to one day shoot her on age on the golf course She was a great fan and cheerleader for her husband, children and grandchildren, attending countless games, concerts, and recitals. Her grandchildren were her pride and her true joy, and she would do anything for them.

Louise taught her children and grandchildren the meaning of good home cooking and how to set the table. She taught us how to keep a marriage healthy and how to stay healthy in body, spirit and mind. In the final years Louise taught us about determination. She was resolved to stay at home and age gracefully. She was steadfast in her care for her beloved husband and herself as they aged, and she did her best to stay independent. As she would often say: “That's all you can ask for— just try your best.”

She was determined and fierce in her love for us and we tried our best to return it. We will be forever grateful to Nonna for what she has given us: a life of goodness and unconditional love. 

Paul and the family would like to thank all the nursing staff, doctors, technicians and care workers who stepped in to assist in the home during Louise’s final days, especially those from “Medical Priorities”; and all their caring neighbours and friends.

Visitation will occur on Monday October 14, from 7 - 8:30pm and on Tuesday October 15 from 10 - 11am at Donohue Funeral Home (362 Waterloo St. London, Ontario). A service of prayers and remembrance will be held on Tuesday October 15 from 11 -12noon. A reception for family and friends will follow at Sunningdale Golf and Country Club,465 Sunningdale Rd West, London Ontario, N6G 5B9

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to London Health Sciences Foundation in support of the Patient Assistance Fund at The Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre. Memorial donations can be made online through the London Health Sciences Foundation website: lhsf.ca/in memory