Arlette Bolliger (née Deneffe)
(1935 - 2022)
Arlette passed peacefully and surrounded by family on September 15, 2022 at her residence at Tapestry in Vancouver.
Born in Brussels, Belgium to Maria Schuermans and Léon Victor Deneffe, Arlette moved to Toronto, Canada in 1959 following her marriage to Heinz E. Bolliger from Switzerland.
Arlette was a loving and devoted wife to her late husband Heinz; adored and treasured mother to her three daughters, Manon, Nadine, Nicole and sons-in-law Tony, Richard and Denis; cherished grandmother to Sagan, Janael, Léana and their life partners; beloved sister to her late brothers Paul and twin Georges; and cherished aunt to her nieces and nephews.
Just prior to passing, Arlette expressed, “I feel very blessed and lucky in my marriage to Heinz. I also feel very grateful for my relationship to Bill Daniel, after Heinz’s passing. I also feel fortunate to have three beautiful daughters who have supported me all along. I cherish my memories of extensive travel adventures, my relationships with colleagues, friends (new Tapestry friends and long standing ones), the “yoga group” and my extended family from near and far. (Dominique, Daniel and Roger, you always had a special place in my heart.)”
Often described as the “classiest, finest and most elegant woman” by everyone graced with her presence, she was also an incredible hostess of many special events that people still talk about today. Remember the belly dancing costumes and surprise performance? Arlette had many talents and wore many hats - from modelling, sewing her own dresses, real estate, running a business, being "Madame la Présidente” of the Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce to "unofficial mover" of her daughters wherever they went.
Arlette’s determination, willingness, courage and ability to take on new challenges, even in the most difficult times, was an inspiration to many but especially to her daughters. Arlette was always clear and focused, committed to fairness, generous, loving, fun and able to laugh to tears, but above all, devoted to her family. She kept us together as a close knit family.
We would go on but as she so often said “ pas de trop”. Arlette will be deeply missed and always remembered. She will live on through each and every one of her family and everyone whose lives she touched along the way.
We love you. On t’aime de tous nos coeurs. Merci pour tout et tout.