Paulette Gagnon, development director of The Place des Arts, dead at 62
Condolences in honour of a pillar of the francophone community continue to be posted.
Paulette Gagnon, 62, died on Wednesday. She was the development director of The Place des Arts in Sudbury, a francophone arts centre that will be built next year.
Originally from Hearst, Gagnon studied theatre at Direction Jeunesse, Théâtre Action and Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario.
Throughout her career, she has held several positions, including head of the Franco-Ontarian section of the Ontario Arts Council and executive director of the Association des theaters francophones du Canada.
Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger says he was deeply saddened to learn the passing of Gagnon.
"Paulette leaves behind a powerful legacy as a dedicated visionary of arts and culture, who thrived on celebrating our community's successes," he said.
"Paulette's strategic thinking and inquisitive nature was instrumental in helping us develop our city's cultural plan. She will be fondly remembered by many staff at the City of Greater Sudbury as a kind, positive and passionate collaborator and friend."
Gagnon is survived by three children.
Sad news to share about our former colleague Paulette Gagnon, for many years a tireless leader in the Francophone arts community of Ontario. <a href="https://t.co/jKvPn4n1aL">https://t.co/jKvPn4n1aL</a>
—@ONArtsCouncilI wish to extend my deepest condolences to family & friends of Paulette Gagnon due to her very sudden & untimely passing yesterday evening. <a href="https://t.co/7xkF8C1k2C">pic.twitter.com/7xkF8C1k2C</a>
—@MarcSerreMPDeepest condolences to family and friends of Paulette Gagnon, and to the Franco/Arts communites she championed so well. We will miss you. <a href="https://t.co/NWoooJawUl">pic.twitter.com/NWoooJawUl</a>
—@GlennThibeaultWith files from Radio-Canada