Tribute

On Sunday, Feb 21, Paulette Marie Cécile Potvin passed away from cardiac arrest. She was a beautiful and vibrant soul, and the ripples of shock and grief are felt deeply by so many people in the communities that knew and loved her. Even at age 70 her energy was endless and her infectious positivity and sunny personality brought joy to so many.

Paulette was born in Saint-François d’Assise, Québec on July 6, 1950. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from Université Laval, and after many exciting travels, she moved to Kimberley, B.C. in the late 1970’s to teach French at Selkirk Secondary School. Although she had initially only planned to stay one year, the tiny mountain town stole her heart and she never left! She had many careers throughout her life, but after obtaining her human service worker certificate from the College of the Rockies, she focused her talents and skills in caregiving roles. Even into her retirement years she dedicated herself to the residents and her colleagues at Garden View Village. They described her as a ‘breath of fresh air’ and will miss her sunny, thoughtful, and generous spirit.

If you ever met Paulette, you may have admired her bright, perfectly colour-coordinated outfits and perhaps had trouble deciphering her excitable, yet charming French Canadian accent. She always showed up radiating positivity, warmth, and enthusiasm, generously handing out compliments like they were going out of style. She would often greet her friends, daughter, and co-workers with a genuine, “Hello gorgeous!!”. She enjoyed soaking up the sun on her deck and having deep, reflective conversations about life over a glass of wine. Her sunny, playful, and spiritual disposition was reflected by her home, where she enjoyed brightly-coloured walls and surrounded herself with collections of butterflies, angels, fairies and gnomes.

Over the past couple years she spent some time at Big Tree resort in Florida, where she had the ‘time of her life’ meeting new friends, participating in community events, teaching aquafit classes, walking with her neighbours and boyfriend Bill, and enjoying warm, blissful evenings soaking up her tropical backyard view.

Paulette is survived by her daughter Tiffany Hannan (Victoria), her son Kelsey Hannan (Vancouver), her good friend and former partner, Douglas Hannan (New Zealand), and her boyfriend Bill Shaheen (Florida).  She also leaves behind her brothers Jean and Christian Potvin, her twin sister Pierrette Potvin, and her nephews Elie and Samuel Potvin (Quebec).  She was predeceased by her parents Yvonne Daigle and René Potvin (Quebec).

Even though we are all deeply saddened that she left us so soon, her legacy and impact will live on in the hearts and minds of those who crossed her path. Her spirit can be felt through the magical, natural beauty of sunflowers, butterflies, rainbows, sunshine, mystical forest creatures, and everything that sparks joy in the world.

We hope to have a proper Celebration of Life to honour Paulette when the pandemic restrictions have been lifted and we can gather safely again. In the interim, if you have memories or stories to share about Paulette, her family would love to receive them. Please email: paulettep6@hotmail.com.

Memorial donations may be made in Paulette’s name to the East Kootenay Foundation for Health: https://www.ekfh.ca/donations-form/

n)