Marianne Turcotte of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home was surprised to be selected as the Business Leader of the Year at the 2023 Samuel McLeod Business Awards
Turcotte beat out Boreal Healthcare Foundation CEO Cody Barnett and Shelley LeMoal of E.T. Flooring and Design to take home the honour on Friday at Plaza 88.
“I’m so incredibly humbled to be even just nominated in this category,” Turcotte said. “There are so many deserving people who have been part of the Chamber and the Business Leader of the Year, so I’m extremely proud to sit at the table with them.”
Marianne Turcotte of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home was surprised to be selected as the Business Leader of the Year at the 2023 Samuel McLeod Business Awards
Turcotte beat out Boreal Healthcare Foundation CEO Cody Barnett and Shelley LeMoal of E.T. Flooring and Design to take home the honour on Friday at Plaza 88.
“I’m so incredibly humbled to be even just nominated in this category,” Turcotte said. “There are so many deserving people who have been part of the Chamber and the Business Leader of the Year, so I’m extremely proud to sit at the table with them.”
Turcotte brought the founder of Beau “Lac” with her on stage to accept the honour on Friday evening. Delores Beaulac, who started the Funeral Home in Spiritwood in 1994, and Turcotte credited her with for laying the groundwork for success.
“Dolores had a vision to offer exceptional service at a fair price to everybody in her community and in 2003 I was fortunate enough to join ownership,” Turcotte said. “Our Funeral Home is owned by myself and another couple, and we’re so extremely proud to be privately owned.”
Beau “Lac” Funeral Home purchased their current Spiritwood location in 1998. In 2002,
Edward and Brenda Beaulac purchased Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, and the Shellbrook location of Beau ‘Lac” Funeral Home Ltd. was opened in the spring of 2007.
Marianne and Travis Turcotte joined the Beaulac’s in ownership of the company in 2013 and opened the Prince Albert location of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home.
Turcotte said the biggest surprise was winning Business Leader of the Year over LeMoal and Barnett.
“It’s absolutely amazing. I’m honestly speechless,” she said.
“I honestly didn’t think that we were going to be honoured with that, but we have a fantastic team and so without fail, I’m really grateful for all of them.”
During her speech, she acknowledged the community Beau “Lac” serves. She added that one reason for the business’s success is local ownership.
“I think that it’s essential,” she said. “I’m extremely honoured to see the support that people offer to myself and our Funeral Home knowing that we are locally owned.”
Before Turcotte received the Business Leader of the Year Award, dignitaries presented the
Legacy Award posthumously to Trevor Ives, who spent 25 years as the CEO of Peter Ballantyne Group of Companies, helping them develop a diverse portfolio of local businesses before passing away in 2023.
Diane Ethier of award sponsor Scotiabank told Ives’ story before the presentation.
Ives wife, Shauna, received a Star Blanket during the ceremony, as has been the case since 2006, according to Richard Ahenakew who emceed that presentation.
Michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
