Paulette Gagnon, development director of The Place des Arts, dead at 62

Condolences in honour of a pillar of the francophone community continue to be posted.

Paulette Gagnon, 62, died on Wednesday. She was the development director of The Place des Arts in Sudbury, a francophone arts centre that will be built next year.

Originally from Hearst, Gagnon studied theatre at Direction Jeunesse, Thtre Action and Thtre du Nouvel-Ontario.

Throughout her career, she has held several positions, includinghead of the Franco-Ontarian section of the Ontario Arts Council and executive director of the Association des theaters francophones du Canada.

Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger says he was deeply saddened to learn the passing of Gagnon.

"Paulette leaves behind a powerful legacy as a dedicated visionary of arts and culture, who thrived on celebrating our community's successes," he said.

"Paulette's strategic thinking and inquisitive nature was instrumental in helping us develop our city's cultural plan. She will be fondly remembered by many staff at the City of Greater Sudbury as a kind, positive and passionate collaborator and friend."

Gagnon is survived by three children.