Trot Insider has learned that on Wednesday, March 7 in Drummondville, Québec, Ernestine Dionne-Veilleux passed away at the age of 94

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She was the widow of Gérard Veilleux, a successful businessman and founder of La Ferme Drummond Inc. and also a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame – in the Builder category.

Dionne-Veilleux is leaving behind her four children, including Standardbred Canada Director, Alain, Danielle, André and Marylène. Dionne-Veilleux was a loving grandmother of eight, including the oldest, Richard Veilleux, also an SC Director, his sisters Caroline and Manon. She also had eight great-grandchildren.

A favourite story of Dionne-Veilleux was how she got her husband involved in horse racing. Back in their dating period, she asked him if he had ever attended a horse racing program. As he replied negatively, she said ‘there is a program at St-Guillaume (her hometown), next Sunday. Would you mind coming?’ He accepted and the rest was history. He never quit the sport afterwards, investing in a farm, La Ferme Drummond Inc. at St-Hugues, Québec, in the mid-'60s, which is still in operation and in the hands of Alain.

Mrs. Dionne-Veilleux will be resting at J. N. Donais Funeral Home, 191, Lindsay Street, Drummondville, on March 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, March 17, the day of the funeral, the parlour will open at 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service, which will be held at Église Saint-Frédéric, 219 Brock Street, Drummondville at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in the family lot at Cimetière Saint-Pierre, 880 Saint-Pierre Street, Drummondville.

Please join SC in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ernestine Dionne-Veilleux.