Our cherished Nicole passed away peacefully on September 28, 2022 at the age of 65.
Left to mourn is her heart-broken husband and soulmate, William Baker and large and close-knit family who supported her steadfastly in her final days. She leaves to grieve her three adored children Laure Émilie Pitfield (Sarah), Weldon Pitfield, and Anthony Pitfield (Caitlin), step-children Gregory Baker (Julia), Michael Baker (Amanda) and Stephen Baker, as well as six adored grandchildren Rylan, Jack, Aurora, Ella, Eléonore and Catherine. Nicole will also be dearly missed by her mother, Renée, sisters Lucie (Daniel), Josée (John) and her brother Jean-Pierre (Barbara) and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Rouyn, Quebec, she was the eldest child of Renée and the late Pierre Jauvin. The family moved to Ottawa in 1962 where Nicole grew up in a loving home and pursued her education and career.
A lawyer by training, Nicole brought her intelligence, judgement, and enthusiasm to a career in the Public Service of Canada that spanned several decades and began in the Privy Council Office, where she spent 17 years providing machinery of government, national security and senior personnel advice to five successive Prime Ministers. She was then appointed to several deputy minister positions.
Following her retirement in 2011, Nicole sat on corporate boards in Canada’s north including the Gwich’in Economic Development Corporation and the Qulliq Energy Corporation thus cementing a deep connection to Canada’s indigenous people. She also volunteered on the CHEO Research Institute Board for nine years. Most recently, she led a Canada-sponsored judicial reform project in the Caribbean. In each of these roles, Nicole welcomed the chance to do something new and exciting and to contribute her knowledge and expertise.
Her greatest love was her large and close family. In her own words, her greatest purpose in life was to raise her children and grandchildren with kind hearts, strong values, and a sense of commitment to their country and communities. She was happiest being surrounded by family and friends at her cottage on Hardwood Lake in Val des Monts. Nicole and Bill were also active members of the Five Lakes Fishing Club where they forged many of their closest friendships.
In retirement, Nicole and Bill travelled extensively visiting dozens of countries and fully experiencing their culture, language, cuisine, and people. She was happiest in Spain, where they returned many years with dear friends, the Amigos.
Nicole was our brilliant star and she burned brightly to the end. Her light will guide us and give us warmth forever.
Digital Guestbook
Peter Harrison
Paul et Jacqueline Daoust
Tontes nos sympathies a la famille de Nicole et particulièrement à Tante Renée, que nous n'avons pas revu repuis longtemps.
Lucie Jauvin
Au nom de la famille de feu François-Xavier Jauvin, nos plus sincères condoléances à notre tante Renée et à toute la famille.
Simon Kennedy
Dear Bill and family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I have fond memories of Nicole from my days as a young analyst at PCO, including sitting down with her for some career advice. I will be thinking of you in the days ahead.
Sylvain Barrette
Cher Bill, Weldon, Anthony et Laure Émilie; Chère Renée, Josée, Simon-Pierre, Lucie et Jean-Pierre, veuillez accepter mes plus sincères condoléances. Je pense à vous en ces moments difficiles.
Alex Munter
On behalf of everyone at CHEO - where Nicole served on the Board of our Research Institute for nearly a decade - I would like to extend condolences to friends, family and associates. We were always grateful for the significant amount of time and energy Nicole invested in this volunteer role. She helped shepherd the advances in research that will change and save children's lives. May her memory be for a blessing.
Lyse et Marie-Claire Piché
Au conjoint et enfants de Nicole ainsi qu’à tante Renée, Lucie, Josée et Jean-Pierre nous vous offrons nos sympathies.
Marie Fortier and Ambrose Hearn
Our sincere condolences to you Bill and to yours and Nicole's family. Her life was cut too short but she lived it fully and made big contributions in all her endeavours. Son sourire est inoubliable . Elle manquera à tous ceux qui l'ont connue.
Claude Lefebvre
Chère Lucie,
Nicole était un phare dans sa communauté. On s'est rencontré brièvement alors que je travaillais au Conseil du Trésor et j'ai pu constater de près le rayonnement de son professionnalisme, sa joie de vivre. Elle se souvenait de moi depuis les années de secondaire.
Sa belle lumière brille ardemment à présent dans le coeur de ses proches.
Je te souhaite ainsi qu'à la famille de la force et du courage en ces moments difficiles.
En tout sympathie,
Claude Lefebvre
Gaétane Carette
A toute la famille, mes condoléances. Je comprends votre peine et la partage. A chacun-e, je souhaite la force de passer à travers ce désert pour parvenir bientôt à la douceur du souvenir.
Dear Bill: I was shocked to read of Nicole’s untimely death. Please accept my sincere condolences at this difficult time. I will be thinking of you as you navigate the valley of grief. She was such a wonderful person, and I appreciated her warmth and professionalism over the years that we crossed paths as fellow public servants.