Arseneaus remembered for their love, generosity

Hundreds of Sudburians gathered at Glad Tidings Church for the funeral service held for Leo Arseneau and his wife Mary Lou.

The ceremony elicited as much laughter as it did tears, with friends and family recounting many shared moments and memories of the two.

Leo, 64, a prominent Sudbury lawyer, was piloting a six-seater Piper aircraft that went down South of Sudbury near Henvey Inlet First Nation on March 17.

Arseneau is fondly remembered for his friendships and relationships formed on and around the golf course. His wife, Mary Lou, 65, was widely known for her generosity and community involvement around the city. Both were known for their "open door policy" and the large crowd gathered in the church was a testament to that generosity of spirit.

The Arseneaus are survived by their children, Tyler and Leigh; and Leo's siblings, Anne, Rose, Jackie, Diane, Suzanne, Mike and Denis. Mary Lou is survived by her siblings, Jackie, Connie, Tracy, Carolyn, Pamela, Gary and Tom.

Personal tributes were delivered by family friends Ray Carr and Carolyn Sauvé who spoke about the couple's famed generosity and warmth. Their sons, Tyler and Leigh, and siblings Jackie Arseneau and Tracy Roy recounted stories from the couple’s lives, together and apart.

"It's difficult to describe the extraordinary lives of two even more extraordinary people," said Tyler. "Each of us tries in our own way to justify in our own way the tragedy that surround the events that brought us all here today."

Mary Lou, a nurse by profession, was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy 14 years ago, and recently lost her ability to speak as a result of the degenerative disease. Despite the challenges, mourners were told she didn't let it get her down and even danced in her wheelchair at her son’s wedding in 2014.

Family and friends said she faced this life challenge with courage and grace, and never complained. They take solace in knowing that she's at peace now.

"Now, you're able to laugh and able to sing," said Sauvé in her tribute.

Leo's sister, Jackie Arseneau, spoke of her brother's "joie de vivre" that was made evident by the many anecdotes she and the rest of the family members shared over the two-hour service. An avid thrill-seeker, Leo was known for his wit, humour and forgetfulness.

In a moment of levity, Leigh said his father's well-known forgetfulness extended, somehow, into the funeral process itself. He chuckled as he recounted how the funeral home called to say his parents were ready for the procession, but somehow Leo was missing a pair of pants.

"Only my father," said Leigh amidst the crowd's laughter.

Each speaker made special mention of the 46 years of love and devotion the Arseneaus shared. Reverand Bob Deppisch, a close family friend who led the service, mentioned the pair had planned on renewing their vows in May.

Mary Lou's sister, Pamela, said she has found peace in knowing they passed together.

"One really couldn't live without the other."