SOEUR MELINA CHOQUETTE, M.O. (S. MARIE ST-JOSAPHAT)

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SOEUR MELINA CHOQUETTE, M.O. (S. MARIE ST-JOSAPHAT) Tout doucement vers 1 h 15 le 23 mars 2002, Melina Choquette est allee rejoindre le grand amour de sa vie, Jesus quelle aimait tant. Quelle douce rencontre a lage de 91 ans dont 70 ans de vie religieuse vecue dans la ferveur. Melina etait native de Ste-Anne, MB. Elle est nee le 11 octobre 1910 et fut baptisee le 12 par labbe Paille. Elle etait la septieme dune famille de 15 enfants dont 9 garcons et 6 filles. Une soeur et deux freres lui survivent, Mme Agnes McDonald, Donat et Raymond Choquette. Son pere, Edouard Choquette etait originaire de Ste-Marie-du-Mannoir, QC, et sa mere, Alphonsine Magnan de Berthierville, Cte Berthier, QC. Ils vinrent setablirent a Ste-Anne-des-Chenes, MB. Melina se joignit a la Congregation des Missionnaires Oblates en 1929 et fit ses premiers voeux en 1931. Elle se devoua pendant 38 ans comme surveillante des eleves dans les Ecoles Residentielles autochtones. Elle vivait un grand amour pour les enfants et son don dautorite naturelle et douce lui gagnait la confiance de ceux et celles qui lapprochaient. Sa vie spirituelle etait profonde et discrete. Ses compagnes se souviennent delle comme une personne tres devouee, de bonne entente, de loyaute et du devoir bien accompli. Elle avait une personnalite attachante et se presentait toujours avec dignite. Sa passion pour le savoir la rendit une liseuse avide qui sinteressait a tout. Sa sante delicate ne lempecha pas de se donner jusquau bout. Elle fit deux stages au Sanatorium, mais cela ne la ralentit pas dans son zele apostolique. Melina, ton souvenir continuera de nous inspirer! Les arrangements funebres furent confies au Salon Mortuaire Cropo. Les prieres auront lieu le 27 mars 2002, a 10 h 00 en la chapelle de la Maison Mere. La messe de la Resurrection sera celebree a 13 h 30, le meme jour au meme endroit par le Pere Albert Bouffard, omi, et linhumation suivra au cimetiere de la rue Archibald. SISTER MELINA CHOQUETTE, M.O. (S. MARIE ST-JOSAPHAT) Gently and quietly at 1:15 a.m. on March 23, 2002, Melina Choquette left us to be with the great love of her life, Jesus, the One she so dearly loved. What a beautiful encounter at the age of 91 of which 70 years in the religious life so fervently lived. Melina was from Ste. Anne, MB. She was born on October 11, 1910 and was baptized on the 12th by Father Paille. She was the seventh of a family of 15 children, nine boys and six girls. One sister and two brothers survive her, Mrs. Agnes McDonald, Donat and Raymond Choquette. Her father, Edouard Choquette, was originally from Ste-Marie-du-Mannoir, QC and her mother, Alphonsine Magnan from Berthierville, QC. They came and settled in Ste-Anne-des-Chenes, MB. Melina joined the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates in 1929 and pronounced her first vows in 1931. During 38 years she devoted herself as supervisor of the students in the Aboriginal Residential Schools. Her great love for children and her natural gift of gentle authority won her the trust of those who approached her. Her spiritual life was deep and discreet. Her companions remember her as a very devoted person, easy to get along with, loyal and very dutiful. She had an endearing personality and was always dignified in manner and speech. Her passion for learning made of her an avid reader who took an interest in everything. Her fragile health did not prevent her from giving her all. Although she was hospitalized twice at the sanatorium, it did not slow down her apostolic zeal. Melina, your memory will continue to inspire us! Prayers will be recited on Wednesday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Mother House at 601 Aulneau St., Winnipeg, MB. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on the same day at the same address at 1:30 p.m. by Father Albert Bouffard, omi. The interment will follow at the St. Boniface Cemetery, Archibald Street. The Cropo Funeral Chapel are in charge of the funeral arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 26, 2002