LaSalle town councillor Sue Desjarlais has died
Desjarlais had been on medical leave but her passing was a shock, mayor said
Veteran LaSalle town councillor Sue Desjarlais has died.
The town's mayor and council made the announcement in a news release issued Monday.
They did not specify the cause of Desjarlais's passing, but Mayor Crystal Meloche said she had been on medical leave for several months.
"However, this isn't necessarily the outcome we were expecting," Meloche said.
"I think it's a bit of a shock to everyone just because it happened so quickly, and she was extremely positive right until the very end and was confident she'd be attending the Turtle Club Parade this Saturday."
Desjarlais was first elected to LaSalle town council in 2006 and served for nearly 20 years.
She also served as a board member of the John R. Park Homestead, was a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland and was a long-time supporter of Community Living Essex County, where she was once the president of the board, according to the release.
In addition, she was involved with the LaSalle Food Bank and the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA).
The news release described Desjarlais as a dedicated and compassionate public servant who "served our community with unwavering integrity, generosity, and care."
Meloche said she will remember Desjarlais as the person who guided her during her first four years as a young councillor.
"She was the only other female council member," Meloche said.
"So I really think she took me under her wing and guided me through, you know, learning the ups and downs of public life and … getting to see what she did for the community and also inspiring me to want to do those same things."
Flags at all municipal buildings will be lowered to half-mast in her honour, and further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available, the release said.