Obituary of Jeannine Duval Seguin

Jeannine Duval Seguin (1934-2025) quietly passed away on October 11th, 2025 at the age of 91.  Jeannine is the daughter of Moise Duval (1889-1961) and Cecile Baron (1892-1994). She is the youngest of seven children (Anne-Aime, Cecile, Laurette, Philippe, Claude and Henri) born and raised on the family farm on County Road 10, the Ridge, at the edge of the Caledonia Flats, with the Alfred Bog in sight.  Year-round, there were daily farm chores; and, seasonal picking of cranberries and blueberries in the Bog. Jeannine attended the one-room schoolhouse just down the road. Her teacher, Madeleine Van Bergen, boarded with her family for many years. Teacher and student became lifelong friends. In her teens, Jeannine enjoyed the camaraderie of summer work in the hop fields along the Ridge.  One Christmas, in the early 1950s, Vankleek Hill postal worker Philippe Duval brought his sister Jeannine to work, to help with the annual rush of greeting cards. By 1956, she had started her 35-year full time career with Canada Post - to eventually become the Vankleek Hill Postmaster.  The work to serve Vankleek Hill & rural residents was fulfilling, especially those years when Jeannine worked with Postmaster Jack Hurley (a recognized WWII flying ace); and, the gracious Ida Cowan and Dorothy Conway. They are gone now; and with them, a rich knowledge of community history. 

In 1955, Jeannine married Johnny Seguin of Stanley Avenue in Vankleek Hill. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls. He had a country band, Johnny & his Hillbilly Boys. Jeannine took to the microphone with her rich and melodic alto voice. A favourite was Wilf Carter’s “You are my sunshine.”  The band played in hotels from Lancaster north thru Maxville; then on to the Century Inn in Grenville, up into Harrington, Boileau and Arundel. For a time, Johnny and Jeannine travelled to the CFRA studio in Ottawa on Sundays, where they performed live alongside the Happy Wanderers and Wilf Carter. Jeannine’s voice was so clear and strong, she was positioned two steps back from the microphone.

Jeannine and Johnny had one child, J. Denis Seguin - their pride and joy. Granddaughter Mélissa and grandson Nicholas (Lisa McMachen) enriched that pride and joy. The grandparents gave their grandchildren room for playful imagination, and outdoor childhoods that were carefree and fun. Jeannine knew her hockey. You'd find her at Cougar home games to support Nick and his team.  Sunday dinners, and playing cards, were a family tradition. 

Jeannine & Johnny welcomed Michelle Landriault (J. Denis Seguin Architect) with her sons Gabriel and Luc (Joan Mercurio) to the family 36 years ago. Three Landriault great-grandsons, Victor, Chase, & Quintin, knew “Grandmaman” as did Andrew Laviolette.

We cannot thank enough the countless personal support workers who allowed Jeannine to live at home as long as possible. We thank Sylvie-Anne Racine (her neighbour) for support when Mom needed special medical help at home; and, Karen Cowan for guidance while Mom was at Heritage Lodge. We thank Dr. Bernard and the staff at the Prescott-Russell Residence who welcomed and cared for Jeannine so well.  We thank Joanne McMachen for checking-in with Mom and providing reports back to us.  We thank the musicians who perform on Sunday afternoons at the Residence.  Jeannine continued to enjoy and to sing, "You are my sunshine." 

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, November 1st at 1:30 p.m. at St-Grégoire-de-Nazianze Parish, located in Vankleek Hill, Ontario.
The family will receive condolences beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the same location.

If you have someone you consider Mom, please buy her flowers.  You may donate to your favourite charities in remembrance.