Anita Marianne Sophie Galarneau

With sadness we announce that Anita Galarneau went to Heaven on October 21, 2023 in Portage la Prairie, MB at the age of 57 years.

Anita will be lovingly remembered by her children Matthew and Cara, parents Jess and MaryAnn, sister Giselle with niece Monica and her children Carlee and Katelynn, and nephews Carlos Daniel and Marc, brother Clive with nephew Jacob and niece Jessica and her children Haven and Brantley, and grandmother Sophie, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Anita was predeceased by her grand parents Alexandre and Annette, and grandfather William.

Anita was born December 16, 1965 to Jess and MaryAnn Galarneau in our local Portage la Prairie hospital. I remember my father telling us the story that it was a sheet of ice that evening and the Caddy was pinned to the floor with Mom praying all the way there, she didn’t want Anita to be born in the car. All went well, and Anita arrived 20 minutes later.

Anita attended the local country school in Langruth from kindergarten to grade eight, then from grade nine to twelve she attended St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg just off Wellington Crescent.

Her career took off shortly after with succeeding in modelling where Winnipeg catalogue and commercial companies could not deny the vibrancy she represented. While still mesmerizing the city with her natural beauty, she attended RRCC where she attained her architectural draftsperson certificate. From there, two years later she moved to Toronto to pursue her natural artistic talent and was employed as a junior architectural draftsperson.

Anita was then blessed with twins, Matthew and Cara. As a single mother the love and devotion which she gave her children and the sacrifices that she endured of herself were an inexplicable act of selflessness which showed us all the true meaning of unconditional love.

As her children grew into adulthood, Anita remained single, with God by her side, she developed a sense of beauty within herself that only a few could empathize and understand. She had only a few precious friends, and if you were lucky enough to be one of them, your heart, and the way you view life would be changed forever.

Anita’s life here ended so suddenly, with only maybe questions of why. But at the same time letting us realize that our life is not ours to control. Through Anita’s love that she gave and proved to us all, she taught us not only that love must never be taken for granted, but there is also a reason why God opens His hands to the ones that are joined to His family in Heaven before the rest of us. I’m thinking we have a lot more on earth to learn, and He is giving us that time to heal before it’s our turn to join Him.

Prayers will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 7:00 pm.  Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 11:00 am, led by Father Michael Savarimuthu.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. 

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com