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LeCLAIR, Erika Margaret (Willms)

1941-2010

Erika Willms LeClair was born in Abbotsford, BC on 1 March 1941 to Henry and Irma Willms, the third child in a family of eight. She grew up on her parents' dairy farm on Judson Lake, surrounded by a large and loving extended family. Together with her family Erika attended South Abbotsford MB Church, where as a teenager she was baptized and became a member.

In 1960 Erika graduated from MEI. She studied Home Economics at UBC. Erika married Cecil LeClair, and they moved to Edmonton, where they had two children-a daughter and a son-who gave Erika much joy.

In the early 1990s, Erika moved back to Abbotsford. She lived for several years in her grandparents' former home on Huntingdon Road. Later she acquired a suite in the Garden Park Tower, where she lived until shortly before her death. Erika loved to cook and bake, and to share her creative gifts with family and friends. In recent years she happily instigated and hosted several family gatherings. On 5 November, after a two-year battle with cancer, Erika left her much-loved home, and moved into the hospice in Mission, BC. On Sunday, 14 November 2010, while surrounded by her children and other family members, Erika passed quietly into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Erika was predeceased by her parents, Irma Rempel Willms (2003) and Henry Willms (2007), and her husband, Cecil LeClair (2006). Erika leaves to mourn her two beloved children, daughter Erika (Darren) Janzen, son Cecil (Galena) LeClair, four grandchildren, five brothers: Walter (Anne), Rudy (Christine), John (Mandy), Victor (Dorothy), Rick (Amy) and two sisters: Selma (Alan) Turner and Marie Anne (Jake) Dick, together with many nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and cousins.

At Erika's request, there will be no formal service. Family and close friends of Erika will share a memorial tea on Sunday, 21 November 2010.

The Willms and LeClair families are grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and the Christine Morrison Hospice for the friendly and attentive care that Erika received during her illness and her last days among us.



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