SOEUR CECILE RIOUX

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SOEUR CECILE RIOUX Le Seigneur a rappele a Lui sa fidele servante, soeur Cecile Rioux, le 22 aout 2003, a la Maison provinciale des Soeurs Grises a lage de 94 ans dont 73 ans de profession religieuse. Elle etait entouree de ses compagnes Soeurs Grises, du personnel infirmier et de plusieurs de ses nieces. Soeur Cecile Rioux est nee a Bedford, MB le 11 avril 1909 de lunion de Theophile Rioux et de Leontine Cote. Elle etait la quatrieme dune famille de huit enfants. Entree au noviciat des Soeurs Grises a Saint-Boniface le 5 aout 1927, elle prononca ses voeux temporaires le 15 fevrier 1930. Trois ans plus tard, soeur Cecile sengagea par des voeux perpetuels a la Maison mere a Montreal. Des sa profession, soeur Cecile debute sa carriere denseignante a Saint-Norbert. Quelques annees plus tard, ce sera a Sainte-Anne-des-Chenes quelle exercera ses talents denseignante, de directrice des classes et de superieure locale, poste quelle occupera jusquen 1956 au moment ou elle recoit un nouveau mandat, celui de secretaire provinciale. Cette responsabilie, elle lassumera de nouveau de 1971 a 1974 pour la province de Saint-Boniface. Elle passera aussi quelques annees a Sao Luis au Bresil comme catechete et aide a lecole menagere. De retour au pays, soeur Cecile etudie le braille en francais au Ministere de lInstruction publique du Manitoba. Elle fait egalement de la traduction, aide dans la composition de lettres ou darticles. Jusqua lan dernier, elle chemine avec des personnes qui desirent faire lapprentissage dune langue seconde. Soeur Cecile se distingue par son intelligence vive et son amour de la lecture. Femme de priere et de fidelite, elle est source de paix pour tous ceux et celles qui lapprochent. Discrete et disponible, elle sait se faire aimer de tous par son acceptation inconditionnelle des autres. Soeur Cecile laisse dans le deuil une soeur, soeur Louise, a.p.s., ainsi que de nombreux neveux et nieces, cousins et cousines. Elle a ete precedee par ses parents, trois soeurs: Rose-Anna, Claire et Lucille; trois freres : Joseph, Jean et Justin. Une liturgie de la Parole sera celebree le dimanche 24 aout a 19 h 30 a la Maison provinciale des Soeurs Grises au 151, rue Despins. La messe des funerailles aura lieu le lundi 25 aout a 14 heures au meme endroit. La direction des funerailles de soeur Cecile Rioux a ete confiee au Salon Funeraire Desjardins, 233-4949 ou sans frais 1-888-233-4949. SISTER CECILE RIOUX Sister Cecile Rioux was peacefully called to her Eternal reward by the Lord on August 22, 2003 at the Grey Nuns Provincial House. She was surrounded by her companions, the Grey Nuns, the nursing personnel and her nieces. Sister Cecile Rioux was born in Bedford, MB on April 11, 1909, her parents being Theophile Rioux and Leontine Cote. She was the fourth child in a family of eight children. She entered the novitiate of the Grey Nuns on August 5, 1927 and made temporary vows on February 15, 1930. Three years later, Sister Cecile committed herself to God for life at the Mother House in Montreal. Immediately after her profession, Sister Cecile was assigned to teaching in St. Norbert. But it is mainly in Ste-Anne-des-Chenes, MB that Sister Cecile shared her gift as a teacher, school director and local superior. From 1956 to 1968, she assumed a new responsibility, that of Provincial Secretary, a mandate that she exercised also from 1971 to 1974. She also spend a few years in Sao Luis, Brazil as a catechist. Upon her return, she studied braille through the Manitoba Public ministry, did translation, helped in various secretarial works. She journeyed with a few students in the teachings of a second language, a ministry which she kept doing until last year. Sister Cecile was noted for her keen intelligence and love of reading. Woman of prayer and faithfulness, she was an angel of peace for all. Through her patience, discreteness and unconditional acceptance of others, she was loved by all, particularly by those in need of a listening heart. Sister Cecile leaves to mourn her sister, Sister Louise, APS, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; three sisters, Rose-Alma, Claire and Lucille; three brothers, Joseph, Jean and Justin. A liturgy of the Word will be celebrated on August 24 at 1930 hours at the Grey Nuns Provincial House on 151 Despins St. The mass of the Resurrection will be presided by Fr. Leo Couture on August 25 at 1400 hours at the same place. Desjardins Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2003