With profound sadness, I announce the passing of my beautiful wife of 45 years, the love of my life, soulmate, and best friend, Françoise Plourde, on June 16, 2026.
As the story goes, Françoise entered the world with spirit and energy on May 26, 1950. She was the youngest child of Marie-Anne Cyr and Joseph Plourde of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, New Brunswick. She was predeceased by her parents; half-siblings Marie-Rose (Roderick Gauvin), Paul-Emile (Dorina Cyr), Gérard (Jeanna Cyr), Jeanne (Marc-Edward Barette), Fernande (Antoine Arbour), Therese (Michel Pourcelot), Elélianne (Gérard Gignac), Lionel; siblings Dolor (Anne), Armand, Armande Routh; Gisèle Beauchemin, Dolorès Duong and Louis, Robert and Gilles; siblings in-law Alfred Giroux, Léna Poitras, and Gislaine Lévesque.
Françoise is survived by her husband Brian Tardif, her half-sister Dorothée, brothers Alyre, François, and sister Huguette (Bertin Sirois); siblings in-law Annette Vautour, Steve Routh, Rodrigue Beauchemin, and Minh Duong.
Françoise had a long and accomplished career in Human Resources with the Federal Public Service. She began with the Secretary of State Translation Bureau and later worked with the Public Service Commission. She loved her work, especially recruiting and hiring translators during a time when Canada was building a world-class Translation Bureau. At the Public Service Commission, she contributed to training and development as a recruiting and staffing officer as a coach for young master’s-level university graduates in the Management Trainee Program and as a senior advisor in executive resourcing.
Françoise loved to travel. Together, she and Brian visited more than 40 countries across five continents. She loved entertaining at home with Brian, preparing gourmet dinners, hosting large Christmas gatherings and poolside parties for close friends, family, and colleagues.
Françoise loved to laugh and make others laugh. If she teased you, you knew she liked you. She had a deep spiritual life, a strong faith, and a steadfast belief that when her time on earth came to an end, a higher life would follow.
Françoise was happiest at home in her garden, planting and tending her flowers and shrubs. She began planning and preparing months before each planting season arrived.
Françoise and Brian made Ottawa their home and consider themselves blessed to have such a rich and loving family and circle of friends, both near and far. Your love and affection have been very present over the past several weeks and months for which we are extremely grateful.
Please join me for a Celebration of Françoise’s Life at Beechwood Cemetery on Saturday, July 11. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the Celebration of Life ceremony at 1:00 p.m and a reception from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
While Françoise loved flowers, donations in her memory would be welcomed and appreciated to the Françoise Plourde and Brian Tardif Foundation Fund, a donor directed fund with the Community Foundation of Ottawa. This fund will allow us to direct the earnings to charitable organizations anywhere in Canada. If you wish to make a contribution, please use the following link https://www.ocf-fco.ca/funds/francoise-plourde-brian-tardif-foundation-fund/
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