FRAIGNAUD, Marie-Madeleine

Marie-Madeleine Wise (née Fraignaud in Paris, France) passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at Verdun Hospital (Montreal) on July 31, 2025, reuniting with her late husband, David Wise, and first son, Ian. She was a loving mother to Ian, Sylvie and Christopher, and dear grandmaman to Everett and Oliver. She will be greatly missed by her sister Colette and her brother Marcel in France, nieces and nephews in France and England, as well as by her many friends.

As a young woman, Marie-Madeleine lived and worked in Varese, Italy, and London, England, where she met David. After their marriage in Paris in 1965, the couple moved to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, and then finally settled by building a family home in St-Bruno-de Montarville, Quebec, in 1972.

Marie-Madeleine graduated from the prestigious HEC Jeunes Filles in Paris and later earned a Maitrise en linguistique – terminologie at Université de Montréal. Her love of language manifested in her speaking French, English and Italian, and in her work as a translator and active member of the Ordre des traducteurs et interprètes agréés du Québec.

Marie-Madeleine was very physically active, jogging around the block every morning and walking it in the evenings, as well as going to the gym 2-3 times a week. She was proud to be known as “La dame qui marche”. She was also very active culturally, always aware of and engaging with the artistic, musical and gastronomical vibrancy of Montreal and Quebec.

Marie-Madeleine found comfort in Catholicism and especially in the community at St Augustine of Canterbury Church in St. Bruno.

After her husband’s passing at a young age, she eventually met and built a strong bond with Jean Rheault, who she met as they were on their respective evening walks around the block. They had a long friendship and were fortunate to eventually be reunited at the Manoir St-Bruno care home, enjoying each others company (and the obligatory glass of wine), which was especially meaningful during the lockdowns of COVID-19.

After Jean’s passing, Marie-Madeleine moved to and spent her final years closer to Sylvie and Christopher at the Westmount One care home in Montreal.

Throughout her journeys and experiences, Marie-Madeleine made many lasting friendships that were kept strong by regular correspondence. She is fondly remembered for her warmth, intelligence, courage, her love of language and culture, walks and wider travels and, of course, a glass of wine or scotch “pour remonter le morale”.

Her life will be celebrated on Friday, September 26th with an 11 a.m. mass followed by a reception at St Augustine of Canterbury Church, 1741 Rue Roberval, St-Bruno-de-Montarville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or Verdun Hospital.