Obituary of Noel Blanchette

Noel Blanchette passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Moose Jaw, SK. Noel was born on December 13, 1929, in Gravelbourg, SK. He lived and farmed in the Courval district for 85 years. Noel married Jeannine O’Reilly of Scout Lake, SK, on July 18, 1959, at St. Victor, SK. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month. They were blessed with five children: Gilbert, Richard, Denis, Suzanne, and René.

Noel was an avid sports enthusiast playing fastball, hockey, curling and a passionate fisherman. Since 1998, he and his wife, Jeannine, enjoyed their cabin at Thomson Lake.  In 2014, Noel and Jeannine retired to the Fairview Manor condos in Moose Jaw. He enjoyed playing cards, ice fishing at Buffalo Pound and watching sports on T.V. The news was also of great importance to him. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandkids. Noel's legacy of hard work, love for family, and passion for the land and sports will be cherished and remembered by all who knew him. Noel is survived by his beloved wife, Jeannine; his children and their families: Son Gilbert (June), grandson Jerrod (Hilary), great-grandchildren Kate and Tessa, granddaughter Michelle (Ryan), great-grandchildren Ryker and Tegan. Son Richard (Erlinda), grandson Joshua (Shekinah), great-grandson Elijah. Son Denis (Christina), granddaughter Mikayla, grandson Kalan. Daughter Suzanne (Brent) Gibson, grandson Jeremy (Sarah), great-grandchildren Beau and Summer, granddaughter Alyssa (Chris), great-grandchildren Jett and Nash, grandson Donavon. Son René (Rhonda), grandson Jordon (Jessica), great-grandchildren Everleigh and Bauer, grandson Matthew (Renée), great-granddaughter Adisyn, granddaughter Cassandra (Brady), great-grandson Colt, granddaughter Jenna (Tristan).

He is also survived by his sister Laurianne Gaucher and many extended family members, including sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Claire Blanchette, Doris O’Reilly, Marthe Wolensky, André & Doris O’Reilly, Gerald & Irene O’Reilly, Roger & Pauline O’Reilly, Sr Berthe O’Reilly OM, Guy & Diane O’Reilly, and Henri & Aline O’Reilly.

Noel was predeceased by his parents Laureat and Exilina (née Gaudreau) Blanchette; brother Conrad Blanchette; sister and brother-in-law Rose-Aimée & Alex McGregor; parents-in-law William and Thérèse (née Beauregard) O’Reilly; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Edgar Gaucher, Léo O’Reilly, Laurent & Juliet O’Reilly, Roger Wolensky, and Gilles & Jeanne O’Reilly.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at St. Joseph Parish in Moose Jaw, SK. Following the reception, the interment will take place at St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery, Courval, SK. The Funeral Mass will be Live Streamed. Instructions on how to register to view the service are available on Piché Hawkins Grondin Funeral Chapels website on Noel’s page.