Pierrette Lucas, born Pierrette Alain in Montreal on November 28, 1940, and died on March 5, 2026 in Victoria at age 85, is remembered as a charismatic, unconventional, and influential Canadian public servant and mother.Known for her sharp wit, generosity, and strong personality, she often challenged social norms and encouraged others to do the same.

After studying at McGill University and the Sorbonne, she returned to Montreal following a family tragedy and later married Michel Lucas, with whom she had two sons, Philippe and Marc.

Following the breakdown of her marriage in the early 1970s, she built a diverse career that included work in juvenile court services, modelling, and sales executive roles.

Her social connections led her into politics, where she ran in a Progressive Conservative by-election, finishing third, but gaining recognition for her charisma.She later moved to Ottawa to work with Joe Clark’s press office and went on to a distinguished diplomatic career with External Affairs Canada.

She served as Canada’s Consul General in Philadelphia and Boston and later became Chief of Protocol under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, welcoming world leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Boris Yeltsin.She also worked on Commonwealth Games representation in Victoria and later contributed to Canadian universities as a consultant and fundraiser.

Lucas was also known as a devoted grandmother who encouraged her grandchildren to defy expectations and embrace individuality through her “Nana rules.” After the death of her son Marc in 2015, she experienced a period of deep grief before eventually relocating to Victoria.Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer three years before her death, she ultimately chose medical assistance in dying after a brief hospice stay.Her life is remembered for its boldness, independence, and lasting impact on family and public service.