Cecile Gagne (nee: Begin) , of Hearst - Date of Death: January 15th, 2006 - The funeral service for pioneer Hearst resident Cécile (née Bégin) Gagné, 86, was held Jan. 20, 2006. She died Jan. 15 at Notre-Dame Hospital where she had resided since mid-September. Born April 18, 1919 in Lévis, Quebec, she came to the area in 1922. She was considered to be a person of independent character, tenacious, modest, warm-hearted, welcoming, and committed to family – especially her grandchildren – neighbors, and friends. A member of Hearst’s Club soleil des aîné-e-s seniors club and Les Associés des soeurs de l’assomption, she was a passionate gardener and artisan renowned for raising and selling flowers and plants to others throughout the region as well as creating pottery, paintings, and weavings. She also enjoyed reading, music and doing crosswords and scrabble She was predeceased by her husband Alfred Gagné of Hearst in 1972, brothers Nazaire in 2000 and Henri Bégin in 1927, sister-in-law Patricia Bégin of Red Rock, and brother-in-law Alec Kozlo of Kapuskasing. She leaves daughters Rose (Bruce) Gagné and Anne-Marie Gagné, all of Ottawa, sons Paul (Shari) of Montreal, and Jean (Suzanne) Gagné of Moosonee/Smooth Rock Falls, granddaughters Lise, Sylvie and Sara, grandson Jean-François, and great grandson Jean-Alexandre. Also surviving are her sisters Jeanne-D’Arc (Ted) Wilson of St. Mary’s, Sr Rose-Hélène Bègin of Nicolet, Que., Gilberte Kozlo of Kapuskasing, Georgette (Ben) Lapenskie of Grand Forks, B.C., and brothers Jean-Baptiste and Auguste (Hanna), all of Red Rock, and Albert (Florence) Bégin of Kapuskasing. Rev. Rémi Lessard directed the service at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral. Interment will be at Monsignor Pierre Grenier Cemetery. Commemorative donations may be made to Hearst’s Foyer des pionniers Nursing Home or hôpital Notre-Dame.