Lieutenant-governor remembered as 'trailblazer' after death from cancer

New Brunswick Lt.-Gov. JocelyneRoy Vienneauis being fondly remembered as an inspirational "trailblazer"and passionate advocate, whochampioned the need for "new sense of pride" in the province.

Roy Vienneau, 63, has died after a battle withcancer, the province announced on Friday.

She became the 31st lieutenant-governor of the province on Oct. 23, 2014.

In a statement, the province said official events at Government House in Fredericton are cancelled until further notice.

The Canada flag at the Peace Tower in Ottawa has been lowered to half-mast and will remain thereuntil her funeral.

Funeral details will be made available in the coming days by the provincial Protocol Office.

Entitled to state funeral

Premier Blaine Higgssaid he expects the service willbe in aweek and a half. Roy Vienneau is entitledto a state funeral, but it will be up to her family, he said.

The federal government has offered to help "in any way, shape or form," he said.

Last September, Roy Vienneau revealedshe'd been diagnosed with cancer.

She made the announcement at the Fredericton Run for the Cure, an annual fundraising and awareness event for cancer charities.

A look back at Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau's last on-camera interview with CBC News:

A look back at Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneaus last on-camera interview with CBC News

5 years ago

Duration 1:43

Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau, whose death was announced Friday, sat down in December 2018 for an interview with Harry Forestell, discussing her pivotal role after the provincial election and her willingness to continue on in the role, despite her illness.

At the time, she said she was cancer-free but was undergoing chemotherapy as a preventive measure. She'd been diagnosed inspring2018.

The only outward sign of her treatment was a selection of stylish, close-fitting hats that Roy Vienneau wore to cover the loss of hair.The chemo treatments ended before Christmas, and she was expected to do a round ofradiation therapy this year.

• A remarkable year in the life of Lt.-Gov. Jocelyne Roy Vienneau

Just before she made her disease public, her role as lieutenant-governor thrust Roy Vienneau intodaily news coverage because of the close results of the September provincial election.

Former Liberal premierBrian Gallant and Higgs, as Progressive Conservative leader, both had to pay hervisits at Government Houseafter neither party won a majority of seats. After Gallant tried and failed towin the confidence of the legislature, his government resigned to Roy Vienneau and she invited Higgs to form a new government.

'An honour to our province'

Roy Vienneau'ssteadfast leadership during the historic election and transition periodprovided stability in the province, underlining the importance of the position, said Higgs.

"She was very careful to weigh out the rules and the process and how it should unfold and ensure that democracy was upheld and that the system worked as it was supposed to," he said.

Higgs, whospoke to Roy Vienneaujust last week, described her as strong, calm and genuine. She wasapassionate advocate for the province throughout her career, he said.

As lieutenant-governor she championed literacy, mental health issues, and "the need for a new sense of pride for the place we call home."

Roy Vienneau took on more than 1,000 events during her tenure, "earning the admiration andaffection of people across the province," Higgs said.

"She was so proud of the diversity we have in our province and exuded that in every conversation. And she did until the very end."

"She was an honour to the role and an honour to our province" and will be missed by everyone whose life she touched.

What it means to be 'a New Brunswicker'

Former premier David Alwardcalled Roy Vienneau's death a huge loss for the province.

"She set a wonderful example for what it means to be a New Brunswicker," he said.

"The incredible pacethat she kept up with events across the province, celebrating the very best of our province. I think that's something we'll all remember."

Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, a former lieutenant-governor,saidRoy Vienneau was an inspiration to people across the province.

"She was so genuine about the things that meant most to her and I think she, from my very first meeting with her, I felt that she wanted us to be our best personal selvesthat we could reach higher."

New Brunswick Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers said Roy Vienneau's passionfor her province and its people "shone through as she carried out her responsibilities," earning herthe "admiration and respect of all New Brunswickers."

"Her commitment and dedication to our province was unwavering," he said, "even in the face of her illness."

'A model for Acadian women'

Bathurst Mayor Paolo Fongemie, who worked with Roy Vienneauat the New Brunswick community college for 23 years and owned a cottage next door to hers, said he always knew she was just a phone call away.

"She was generous with her time, she was very generous with people, close by, and we'll miss her, but her legacy will never be forgotten."

The New Brunswick Acadian Society said it was saddened by the death.

"Mrs. Roy Vienneau was a model for all Acadianwomen," said a statement issued inFrench. "She did honour to our people by inspiring a generation of young people to surpass themselves."

A history of achievements

Roy Vienneau, the first Acadian woman to hold the job of Queen's representative in New Brunswick, the "LG" as she was known by staff, had a long list of achievements.

A native of Robertville, she was one of the first women to earn a degree in engineering at the University of Moncton.

• Jocelyne Roy Vienneau named New Brunswick lieutenant-governor

She was vice-president of the university's Shippagan campus, held a variety of positions at the Bathurst campus of the New Brunswick Community College and served as the province's assistant deputy minister for post-secondary education.

Appointed by the Governor-General at the request of former prime minister Stephen Harper, her term would have ended in September 2019, unless Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked her to stay for another five-year term.

The prime minister offered his condolences in a statement, describingher as a "trailblazer in New Brunswick's post-secondary education system."

"She was the first woman to direct a francophone community college in NewBrunswick, the first woman to occupy a secular position as vice-president of a campus at the Universit de Moncton, and one of the first women to graduate from the university's Faculty of Engineering," Trudeau said.

Would havestayed on

During a year-end interview with CBC News in 2018, Roy Vienneau said she wanted to stay.

"Yes, I would. I would like to serve the people of New Brunswick, but I would also like to spend more time with my grandchildren," she said.

"I'm doing more short-term [planning] instead of long time plans. Of course, I still have longtime plans. I will always. As long as I live I will.

Roy Vienneau is survived by her husband Ronald and herchildren Isabelle and Cdric.