Rosa Juliette Girard ( Nee: Prefontaine )

Rosa Juliette Girard (nee Prefontaine)  1930-2025

Rosa Girard passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the age of 95, in her home in Parksville, BC.

Born on a farm in St. François Xavier, Manitoba, on June 10, 1930, Rosa was the tenth of thirteen children born to Charles and Marie Anne Préfontaine. In 1949, she married Greg Girard of Elie, Manitoba. Rosa managed the Elie Post Office from 1950 to 1965, before the family moved to Trail, BC, and eventually settled in Duncan, BC.

In Duncan, Rosa opened her first wool store, The Spinning Wheel, followed by a second location in Nanaimo, 5 yrs later.  Eventually, she became a representative for a wholesale yarn company travelling all over BC and Alberta. A lifelong creator, Rosa excelled in knitting and produced countless Cowichan sweaters, that she lovingly shared with family. In her 80s, she taught herself quilting, a craft that became her passion and kept her vibrant, creative, and engaged until the end.

Rosa was predeceased by her husband, Greg (1996), and her son, Joel (2006). She is survived by her daughters Laurele Croteau (George) of Courtenay, BC, and Renita Cody (Terry) of Creston, BC; her sons Greg Girard and Colin Girard of Merritt, BC; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother, Conrad Prefontaine, (Winnipeg, Man.), and her sister, Terry McMurtrie, (Raleigh, N Carolina), her sister-in-laws, Celine Prefontaine, (Victoria, BC), Jenny Prefontaine, (Edmonton, AB), Odile Girard, (Elie, Man.), and many nephews and nieces.

Rosa will be remembered for her creativity, her strength, and the deep love she held for her family.

A celebration of life to be held in the Spring.