Mr. Speaker, today I would like to acknowledge the 100th birthday of Françoise Poulin. Originally from the small village of Saint-Prosper-de-Dorchester, she moved at 18 to Quebec City, where she met the father of her seven children.
Someone should make a movie of her life. When she had an appendectomy at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, she fell in love with her nurse and future husband, Joseph Dutil, and moved to their home in Saint-Hyacinthe where she still lives today.
Living in that house is a way of keeping her husband's memory alive and honour the life they shared for 32 years.
A widow at 55, she redefined herself from a wife and mother to a strong, independent, caring and loving woman devoted to her family and loved ones. She passed down her determination and courage to the next generations. These are generous, honest, hard-working, good people.
I could go on and on because her sons Richard, Alain and Dany are three of my good friends. They are great guys.
I wish Mrs. Poulin a very happy birthday. She has earned it, and it is her turn to enjoy the love.