Quebec philanthropist Jacqueline Desmarais, the wife of late financier Paul Desmarais, died Saturday, family confirmed.
In a statement, the family announced a private funeral will be held in the coming days, followed by a memorial service.
Desmarais leaves behind four children: Paul, André, Louise and Sophie Desmarais.
After her husband’s death, Desmarais became trustee of the family fortune, which boasts a wide portfolio of company shares, including Power Corporation of Canada.
Born Jacqueline Maranger in Sudbury, Ont., she was recognized as a patron of the arts in Quebec.
“Jacqueline Desmarais marked our cultural scene with her great passion for artists and her great generosity. Her contributions helped improve our cultural infracstucture and the programming of our institutions,” Heritage Minister Melanie Joly said on Twitter.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for these actions and legacy.”
Desmarais was one of the biggest supporters of the province’s opera and music scene.
Many musicians were able to build their careers thanks to her philanthropic efforts, giving them access to the best instruments and tools.
In 2016, she was named a Companion of Arts and Letters by the province.
That same year, the new Saint-Justine Hospital baptized one of its wings as the Jacqueline Desmarais Pavillion.
Desmarais also received an honorary doctorate from the Université de Montreal in 2011.
-With files from La Presse Canadienne
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