The new generation
In 2009, Le Phare celebrated its 10th anniversary, and there was a change of guard in the organization’s management. Well-prepared successors replaced Nicole Marcil-Gratton, President of the Board of Directors from 2001 to 2009, and Michèle Viau-Chagnon, co-founder and Executive Director since 2003, at the helm of the organization.
Their efforts over the last few years were commended with great honours. Michèle Viau-Chagnon received the 2009 Recognition Award from the Réseau de soins palliatifs du Québec for work done during her career. In 2009, she and Nicole Marcil-Gratton were named Knight of the Ordre national du Québec for their remarkable work in opening the Maison André-Gratton. Their outstanding contributions were recognized again in 2020 when they were awarded the Meritorious Service Cross, civil division (awarded posthumously for Nicole Marcil-Gratton).