Lucienne Poirier-Forcier
Photo taken summer of 1949, Falher, Alberta
in the Poirer Family Home

I was born on Thursday December 31, 1925, in Port Daniel, Quebec, a twin to Lucia. We were the 8th and 9th children in the family.

In October 1929, at the age of 4, I left Port Daniel along with Eugenie, Aurore , Marie and Patricia and made a long journey by train to Falher. We all stayed at Uncle Aristide farm. When maman joined us in 1930 we stayed there for about 2 more years until we moved to our homestead at Lac Magloire.

For grade one and two I went to Porter School in Jean-Cote. Then the school closed. For the next couple of years Marie taught us school at home. After this I attended school at the convent in Falher until grade 9. We would get dropped off on a Sunday night, stay at the convent all week and get picked up Friday after school.

After grade 9 it was off to work. I did housekeeping duties for various families in Falher. With the money I earned I would give some to maman to help buy some groceries or whatever was needed for the house. I had also started buying items for my hope chest.

In 1948 the Parish Priest from Falher set up a rendezvous between myself and a gentlemen called Jean-Luc Forcier. Jean-Luc came knocking at the door, we talked for a while. He asked me if he could come back soon and visit and I said yes. Jean-Luc would visit me on his pedal bike or sometimes he would borrow Mr. Paquette's truck.

Alice, Lucienne & Wenceslas Poirier
Photo taken July 4th, 1950 in front of Wenceslas & Alice Poirier Family Home Falher, Alberta.

We were married on July 4th 1950. Our Maid of Honor was Margeritte Gamble and the Best Man was Ronald Poirier. Jana had sewn my wedding dress. I had purchased the fabric through a cataloque called "Dupuis Frere". Jana had done an exceptional job. We were married in the morning. We had lunch for everyone at the Falher Hotel. In the afternoon we left for our honeymoon. We left with Josepha Fortier and his wife. They were going to Edmonton by car and we got a ride with them. Once in Edmonton we stayed at the Cecil Hotel. While in Edmonton we purchased our bedroom suite (still existing), our stove the kitchen table and chairs. After about 10 days we took the train back to Donnelly. We also brought back our furniture by train.

Jean-Luc had a job as manager at the Alberta Wheat Pool. Attached to the office of the elevator was the agent house. This is where we lived and this is where we started our life together. Soon I was pregnant. I was busy knitting for the new baby. The winter was very cold. Ice would form in corners on the floor. Jean-Luc would soon be busy building our first house in Donnelly. Still no vehicle and Denis was due. Mr. Perra, of Donnelly drove us to the McLennan hospital.

Denis was born on May 3,1951. When I returned from the hospital with Denis we moved in our new home. It was warm. It was our home. We went on and had 4 other children Robert, Henri, Dorine and Jacques. Life in Donnelly was busy, raising a family, sewing and knitting for the children because money was scarce.

Lucienne's Flowers
Photo taken in front of the Luciennes' Family Home, Donnelly, Alberta.

In the summer there was always a huge garden and lots of flowers. I enjoyed doing the yard work in the summer. The strawberries from the garden would bring in extra income for the family. I would also do babysitting for extra income. When Jean-Luc had bees, I would make bee frames during the winter and work in the bee shed in the fall. As the children got older, we needed more room. In 1963 Jean-Luc built an addition to the house.

Sunday was usually a family day. We would pack a lunch and go for a drive somewhere and have a day picnic. When the kids were older there was always a summer holiday. We would pack up the two tents and six sleeping bags and air mattresses, the cook stove, coolers, food, clothing and whatever else we needed. We were off for two weeks of fun and relaxation. After Jean-Luc retired from the Alberta Wheat Pool in 1985, we enjoyed many years of traveling, camping and helping the kids with various projects. In 1996 we travelled to St. Jerome, Montreal to celebrate Lucia's 50th anniversary. Marie Taylor accompanied us on that holiday.

We were still living in that same house that Jean-Luc built in 1950-51 when he passed away on January 18, 2002 at the age of 75. I remained in the house for a couple of years. The house was too big for me so I moved on.

Today I live at the Manoire Ste. Anne in Falher. I am enjoying life with my children, 7 grand-children and 2 great-grand children. For the past 3 years I spend time with a very wonderful campanion, Charles Gagnon. We enjoying camping, visiting with friends and spending extra time on a friends farms in Guy. Today I'm 82 and look back at my life and I would not change a thing.

Lucienne's Family
Photo taken on Sunday after church service during the Donnelly 75th anniversary June 1997
Back Row:   Robert   Henri   Denis
Front:   Jacques   Lucienne   Jean-Luc   Dorine
Note from Denis:   I remember very well one of Dad's casual comments once the picture was taken: "Make sure it's good because this could be the last time we will all be together". Unfortunately he was right.

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By: Dorine Demeule.