Janine Fauquet sent this message to blogger friends of her husband Michel:
J’ai l’immense tristesse de vous annoncer le décès de Michel.
Je vous remercie de l’intérêt et de l’affection que vous lui avez porté avec vos messages et commentaires au long de ces dernières années…
Vous étiez importants pour lui.
I understand enough French to have read this message and to have learned that this friend just died. He was a Christian, a family man, an educator, a gardener, a writer of a charming blog about his life in Amiens, Normandy. I will miss him, as will anyone who had the good fortune to follow his postings.
For those of you who don’t understand French, Janine’s announcement in English is:
I am very saddened to announce the passing of Michel.
Thank you for the interest and affection you have shown him with your messages and comments over the past few years…
You were important to him.
RIP Michel Fauquet
Janine, I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I am shocked. He was a wonderful friend, and has visited Canada to meet a friend.
I think the saddest thing is he died before gardening season, something I know was a great joy to him.
So sorry to learn this sad news. May your friend and his family find peace knowing we all are sending our condolences.
Janine Fouquet is blessed with a large family of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to help her physically and emotionally in her grief.
So sad..We are sorry for the loss.
The family surely appreciates your thoughtfulness.
I am sorry to hear this, rest in peace.
Yes, I enjoyed his posts, especially the ones on gardening and family get togethers.
Yes. He is already missed.
Yes, I’m sure I’m not alone in that regard.
I’m sorry to hear that.
Yes, Michel’s posts were a joy to read. I felt enriched by each one.
Very sad news. Blessings to all.
I’m still processing the news.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend.
Thank you. Anyone who followed his posts lost a special friend.
We are sorry for the loss of your friend, but we know he will be held in many memories.
Yes, that is not an exaggeration.
I’m so sorry.
Thank you, Correne. It would have been a great treat to have met him in real life.
I am sorry to read this about your friend.
Thank you.
I’m very sorry to hear this. I had seen him comment though I hadn’t interacted with his blog. My heart goes out to all his friends and family.
Yes, it is worth going to his archive to read his thoughts.
Michel was indeed a beautiful soul, and a friend to so many of us. I will always remember his kindly spirit, love of nature and life in general. I am glad he was able to have his family around him for the holidays one last time. I will plant a tree for him here, and daffodils.
If you want to let Janine know your plan, I will email you their address. Given the place gardening has/had in the Fauquet family, I’m sure they would appreciate this gesture. I’m not sure if Janine speaks English, but translations on the Internet and their daughter married to the Englishman certainly does.
Yes, thank you, Doug.
Your email address was wiped out by the recent Microsoft update. I guess I can post this address here since it also is available on the Internet. Sorry for the slow response, Lavinia:
Madame Janine Fauquet
393 rue de Rouen
80000 Amiens
Republic of France
No worries, Doug. Thank for the address. I’ll shoot yo another email so you have it.
Thanks! IFt is a time saver and more reliable for sharing information!
The passing of a dear one, family or friend, is never an easy process for the ones who are still here. It is both a reminder that grief is an inescapable part of life and a reminder that it could be our turn at any time. While the later’s intensity is somewhat linked to one’s ego, the first is definitely one that is felt strongly and quite often very sadly. As such, please accept my condolences for this loss, Doug. Take care. Fanch
Thank you, Fanch. That is beautifully expressed.
oh how sad… we are so sorry…
it was inevitable, yet sad just the same. His recent health hadn’t been too encouraging. I’m sad he will miss his garden and family.
Quelle tristesse! J’admirais le bonheur qu’il a pris dans la nature et dans sa famille. Il va être très manqué par beaucoup de monde sur le planète. Bon voyage aux étoiles, Michel.
Bien noté, Deborah! J’ai ressenti la même chose à propos de sa joie dans la nature et la famille. Je pense qu’il était particulièrement triste de ne pas pouvoir s’impliquer dans le jardin cette année, mais heureux d’avoir sa famille à Amiens pour les vacances. Quel voyage il a eu dans sa vie!
Well noted, Deborah! I felt the same about his joy in nature and family. I think he was especially sad he couldn’t get involved in the garden this year, but joyful to have family make it to Amiens for the holidays. What a journey he had in his life!
He sounds like a beautiful soul, you were blessed to have had him share his life with you. His wife must miss him terribly
He was that.