SOEUR MARGUERITE VIAU (SOEUR MARIE ST-PATRICE)

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SOEUR MARGUERITE VIAU (SOEUR MARIE ST-PATRICE) Marguerite a vu lever le VRAI JOUR le dimanche matin, 20 novembre 2005. Elle fit son passage de l'infirmerie de la Maison Mere des Missionnaires Oblates de St-Boniface a la Maison du Pere dans un soupir a peine perceptible. Elle etait agee de 102 ans et 5 mois, dont 79 de vie religieuse. Marguerite est nee a Montreal le 28 mai 1903. Elle etait la cinquieme d'une famille de 10 enfants. Son pere, Esdras Viau etait originaire de Coteau-du-Lac, PQ. Sa mere, Clara Thauvette etait de Montreal. La famille Viau vint s'etablir a St-Boniface. Elle a ete precedee dans la mort par ses parents, Esdras et Clara, quatre freres Edouard, Rene, Fernand, Armand et cinq soeurs, Therese, Antoinette, Gabrielle, Aline et Irene. Il ne lui reste qu'une belle-soeur, Anna Viau, ainsi que quelques neveux et nieces dont Marcel et Irene Deferme de la Belgique, Larry Viau et son epouse Rosalie de Ste-Anne, au Manitoba, Annette et Brad Buchan ainsi que Jack Buchan de Winnipeg. Marguerite, a l'instar de sa cadette Gabrielle, fit son entree chez les Missionnaires Oblates de St-Boniface le 5 aout 1923 et prononca ses premiers voeux le 18 fevrier 1926. Elle enseigna plusieurs annees surtout en Saskatchewan et au Manitoba. Son talent d'artiste sut s'exprimer par la peinture; elle peignait de magnifiques bouquets spirituels ainsi que de beaux tableaux. A titre d'archiviste elle aida sa soeur Gabrielle dans ses recherches et consacra aussi du temps pour des recherches historiques. De 1973 a 1992 Marguerite travailla a la bibliotheque de l'Archeveche de St-Boniface. Ses dons d'organisation et de recherche lui furent de precieux atouts pour accomplir avec efficacite ce genre de travail. Puis vint le temps de prendre sa retraite..., elle trouva une occupation qui lui convenait. Le sourire aux levres et les yeux petillants, elle passa des heures tres agreables a la peinture, a l'assemblage de casse-tete et a la collection des timbres. Son sourire lui venait de son admiration pour la Vierge du Sourire. Chere Marguerite, tes compagnes Oblates continuent de t'aimer et de t'admirer! Les Missionnaires Oblates desirent remercier le personnel de l'infirmerie pour les bons soins que Soeur Marguerite Viau a recus pendant plusieurs annees. Les prieres seront recitees vendredi, le 25 novembre 2005 a 10 h 00 en la chapelle des Missionnaires Oblates de St-Boniface au 601 rue Aulneau, Winnipeg, MB. Les funerailles auront lieu le meme jour au meme endroit a 14 h 00. Le Pere Albert Bouffard omi, presidera la celebration. L'inhumation des cendres aura lieu au cimetiere de la rue Archibald a St-Boniface mardi le 29 novembre 2005 a 10 h 00. La direction des funerailles est confiee au salon Mortuaire Cropo. SISTER MARGUERITE VIAU (SISTER MARIE ST-PATRICE) Sister Marguerite Viau saw the dawn of the Real Day on Sunday morning, November 20, 2005. She made her passage from the infirmary of the Mother House of the Missionary Oblate Sisters of St. Boniface to the House of the Father in an almost imperceptible breath. She was 102 years old plus 5 months, 79 years of which were spent in religious life. Marguerite was born in Montreal, QC on May 28, 1903. She was the fifth child of a family of 10 children. Her father Esdras Viau, was born in Coteau-du-Lac, QC. Her mother Clara Thauvette was born in Montreal. The Viau family eventually settled in St. Boniface, MB. Marguerite was predeceased by her parents, Esdras and Clara; her four brothers, Edouard, Rene, Fernand, Armand; and her five sisters, Therese, Antoinette, Gabrielle, Aline and Irene. She is survived by one sister-in-law Anna Viau; and also some nephews and nieces among them Marcel and Irene Deferme in Belgium, Larry Viau and his spouse Rosalie from St. Anne, MB, Annette and Brad Buchan as well as Jack Buchan from Winnipeg. Marguerite, following the example of her younger sister Gabrielle, joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblate Sisters of St. Boniface on August 5, 1923 and pronounced her first vows on February 18, 1926. She taught during many years mainly in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Her artistic talent found its outlet in painting; she painted magnificent spiritual bouquets and beautiful sceneries. As an Archivist she helped her sister Gabrielle with research projects. She also enjoyed historical research. From 1973 to 1992 Marguerite worked at the St. Boniface Archdiocese Library. Her talents in organization and research were precious assets in the fulfillment of her work. Then came time to retire... she found an occupation that suited her. With a smile on her face and sparkling eyes, she spent countless pleasant hours painting, assembling puzzles and collecting stamps. Her smile came from her admiration for the Virgin of the Smile'. Dear Marguerite, your Oblate sisters continue to love and admire you! The Missionary Oblates Sisters express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the infirmary for their care and compassion. Prayers will be recited on Friday, November 25 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Missionary Oblate Sisters at 601 Aulneau St., Winnipeg, MB. Funeral service will be held on the same day at the same address at 2:00 p.m. Fr. Albert Bouffard, o.m.i. will preside the celebration. Interment of the ashes will take place on Tuesday, November 29 at 10:00 a.m. in the cemetery on Archibald St. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2005