Lena Emma Desbiens (nee Barnes), age 84, peacefully passed away on June 6, 2022, at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital with family by her side. She was the beloved wife of Frank Desbiens, who predeceased her on March 9, 2022. They shared 67 wonderful years of marriage and had 5 children together. She was also the beloved "Mamere" to 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Lena was born at home in Sultan, Ontario on October 26, 1937, and lived there for many years before she married Frank Desbiens on August 14, 1954. She worked in her early years in the bush camps as a cook, as well as various jobs while raising her children in various towns and cities throughout Northern Ontario before settling in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1971.
After she moved to Thunder Bay and met the Lord, she could often be found cooking and ministering to the less fortunate at the Salvation Army on Cumberland Street. She was also very involved in every aspect of church life, and loved playing piano at church meetings. She will be missed by her church family in Thunder Bay, and in Glenwood City and Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
Family was always very important to her. She would make the long trip back to Sultan every year to visit her mom and extended family and to pick berries for her delicious jams and pies, which she would then share widely. She showed her love to many through a simple bowl of soup, a piece of homemade bread and a cup of tea, and no one ever left her house without something to eat. Whether it was a jar of raspberry jam or pickles, pies, or perogies- she showed her love to everyone through her gift of cooking.
Lena is survived by her siblings, Harvey, Patsey, Richard, Lorraine, as well as her children Albert (Leisha and Arlie), Cindy (Vic, Samantha and Victor), Joan (Don, Joyce, Sarah, Rachel, Andrew), Darlene (Grant, Tyler, Jordan, Bryan, Angela).
She was predeceased by her husband Frank Desbiens, parents Albert and Germain, her siblings Simone and Margaret, and infant daughter Joyce.
The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday June 9, 2022 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, presided by John Ranta, with visitation to begin one hour prior. Private interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery.
For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed and archived at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca where condolences may be offered as well.
As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Food Bank would be appreciated in Lena’s memory.
