Rose Marie France Kolybabi née Berthelette

On January 8, 2024, Rose Marie left us, at the age of 81, to join her favourite dance partner and love of her life, Lawrence. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and the music she connected with even through the struggle of dementia.

Rose Marie leaves behind two daughters, Christine (Pierre) and Charlene (Darren); grandchildren, Mak (Katie), Jaybird, Jesse, and Lila; great-grandchildren, River, Astrid, and Loik. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Lawrence; her parents, Gus and Rita; siblings, Reggie, Donald, and Luce.

A life-long resident of Transcona, Rose Marie loved teaching dance, telling stories, cheating at card games, and claiming to be a Navy Seal. She was a fixture of the Country Dance community and together with her husband, Lawrence, she founded several dance groups. While working at St. Boniface Hospital as a Senior Ward Clerk in ICS (Intensive Care Surgery), she could be found teaching dance in the middle of the unit if time and opportunity presented itself. Some people have a photo of themselves that represents their self-image, and for Rose Marie it was of her and Lawrence together at Dancing Under The Canopy, with her wearing a headset and leading friends and others in a dance.

Rose Marie’s dementia necessitated her move to Actionmarguerite St. Boniface at the start of 2020, where she was treated like the “Dancing Queen” we all knew and loved. Christine’s visits over the last few years always included music and dancing.

The family expresses undying gratitude to the entire staff of Actionmarguerite, and especially the staff of 2DE for caring for Rose Marie over the last four years. Especially during COVID when visits were not allowed. Her quality of life was immeasurably improved in this amazing place. Thank you to Alice, Christian, Ethel, Flora, Janelle, Joy, Mary, Marcel, Mona, Monique, Papy, Sophie, Tabitha, Vanessa, Zuheir, and anyone who ever danced with Rose Marie, she loved every minute.

A funeral will be held at Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, January 31 at 1 pm. A reception will be held afterward at the Transcona Country Club at 2 pm.