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It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Sylvie Barbeau (Chmielewski), School Trustee at Conseil scolaire catholique Providence, on July 22, 2023. In recognition of her significant contributions to French-language Catholic education, the flags at the head office and all the schools within the Board will be flown at half-mast for the next few days. Details of the funeral arrangements are not yet known.

For nearly 35 years, Mrs. Barbeau helped ensure that young Franco-Ontarians received the best possible education.

Recognized for her commitment to French-language Catholic education, she served as a Trustee for the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence and, from 2018, represented the interests of parents in the Sarnia community at the policy table.

Ms. Barbeau was also a teacher at École catholique Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin over the course of her career in education.

In addition, she was a member of a number of Francophone community associations for many years, including Les dames de Sainte-Anne, Paroisse Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin, Centre communautaire francophone de Sarnia, Entité du Sud-Ouest Ontario, Sarnia Lambton Ontario Health Team and was a volunteer at the River City Shelter.

“Sylvie will be sorely missed. She was greatly appreciated for her tireless work on behalf of our parents and students,” said Jacques Kenny, Chair of Csc Providence.

“Proud to be a Francophone and a Catholic, Sylvie never ceased campaigning to ensure that our schools would be able to offer a high-quality education to all our families.”

The Conseil scolaire catholique Providence salutes a Trustee who was always attentive to the needs of Francophone Catholic students and taxpayers.

The community, her colleagues at the Csc Providence’s council table, and the members of the administration have lost a major collaborator in the Sarnia community.

We offer our deepest condolences and the assurance of our prayers to Sylvie’s children and loved ones.

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source: media release

Photo : From Radio Canada website, Avec Autorisation de Sylvie Barbeau Chmielewski, September 2022