Deschenes Chesser, Christiane (Chris)
February 28, 1951 – August 7, 2026
Chris passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in her 76th year with Roger, her loving husband of 39 years at her side following a lengthy battle with cancer. Chris is survived by her husband and her children Christine (Julian), Alexander (Monica), David (Danielle) and Christopher (Stephanie). Loving and loved grandmother of Roger “Dodge” and Quinn, Dylan and Esme, and Jacob and Lucas. Dear sister of the late Guy and Barbara Deschenes, and of brother-in-law Douglas Chesser and his wife Carol of Florida. Aunt Chris is also survived by her niece Erica and her husband David Cervantes, and her grand-niece Alexa, grand-nephew Ben, niece Michelle and her husband Anthony Seminara and her grand-nieces Charlotte and Pippa, all of Montreal.
Chris graduated from the University of Montreal School of Medicine and received her M.D. in June 1976 and completed her internship at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal the following year. While visiting friends in the Almonte area she visited Almonte General Hospital and with the encouragement of her friends and the hospital executive, she moved to Almonte and opened a general practice in 1981. As Almonte’s first female physician, she worked for 39 years as a GP/Obstetrician, Surgical Assistant and ER Doc., caring for multiple generations of families, from birth to end of life. The continuity of care is a principle Chris cared deeply about. Chris also served three terms as the Chief of Staff at the Almonte General Hospital, and she was a founding partner in the Almonte Family Health Clinic. She “retired” in June 2020, limiting herself to occasional surgical assistance for the next four years.
In her spare time, Chris was an avid gardener, skier, and golfer. She enjoyed her time with her friends on the slopes at Calabogie in the winter and on the links of the Royal Ottawa Golf Course in the summer.
Friends and family may gather for a Celebration of Chris’ life at the Kelly Funeral Home, Kanata Chapel, 580 Eagleson Road, Kanata on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 2-5pm.
Special thanks to St. Elizabeth’s Home Health Care, Ottawa Health at Home and Dr. Paul Hacker each of whom made every effort to make Christiane’s final days as comfortable as possible. Donations to the Almonte General Hospital Foundation are gratefully accepted.
