SISTER GERARD DU-ST-REDEMPTEUR

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SISTER GERARD DU-ST-REDEMPTEUR, SNJM (nee AURISE GOBEIL) On August 24, 2002, Sister Gerard celebrated her 100th birthday. With great joy and pride, she participated in the Eucharist celebrated by her dear nephew, Marc Rougeau, a Salesian priest, who had come purposely for the occasion from Rosemead, CA. Also in attendance were Sisters two remaining sisters and two nieces. The celebration was followed by a festive meal throughout which Sister was in such happy spirits and enjoyed every moment of the gathering as she made sure she understood everything that was said. However, two weeks after the special event, Sister Gerard suffered a stroke and remained partially paralysed but conscious. During these last few days, she prepared herself in a special manner for the most important meeting of her life: that of joining her beloved Master. On Sunday, September 15, she fervently received the last rites. Yesterday, Sunday, September 22, 2002 Sister Gerard peacefully passed away at Residence Jesus-Marie, St. Boniface, surrounded by members of her religious community, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the nursing staff, and Father Bernard Belanger who had just celebrated the Eucharist in the chapel. Aurise Gobeil was born in Otterburne, MB, the third daughter of Moise and Anna (Joyal) Gobeil. Six other girls and two boys completed this numerous and happy family. Aurise studied with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in St. Pierre-Jolys, Otterburnes neighbouring town. Following in the footsteps of her teachers and of Yvonne, her older sister, Aurise entered the novitiate of the Holy Names sisters in Montreal in November 1928. In August 1929, she received the religious habit and was given the name Gerard in honour of the younger of her two brothers. Sister Gerard took her temporary vows in 1931 and was assigned to remain in Quebec where she taught Grade I for four years. As she earnestly yearned to tend to the sick, in 1935 her superiors allowed her to take a course in nursing. She graduated as a registered nurse from the Hotel-Dieu in Montreal in 1938. After working for one year in the infirmary of the Holy Names covenant in Valleyfield, Quebec, Sister returned to Manitoba where she served in a few of the Holy Names convents. Towards the end of her career, for a brief time, Sister devoted herself to elderly persons in Seniors homes in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes and Ste. Agathe. Very competent in her chosen field, Sister Gerard excelled particularly in diagnosing the illnesses of her patients. During her retirement years, Sister Gerard tended to a few community services as sacristan, linen keeper and receptionist in the SNJM convents where she resided. In August 1994, she became a permanent patient in the Residence Jesus-Marie infirmary where she filled her days with prayer and meditation. She remained very interested in her communitys activities. She particularly enjoyed visits from family members and the small bouquets that visitors brought her. Have predeceased Sister, her parents; her two brothers, Arthur and Gerard; six sisters, three of whom were also Sisters of the Holy Names, Yvonne (Sister Anne-Veronique), Angeline (Sister Solange-Marie), Alice (Sister Moise-de-Rome), Emilienne (Precious Blood Order) Dorothee Desrosiers and Ida Lacasse; brothers-in-law, Herve Desrosiers, Aurele Lacasse and Raymond Lapointe. Still living to mourn her passing are her sisters, Laurette Rougeau (Wilfrid) and Irene Lapointe; two sisters-in-law, Augustine and Ernestine Gobeil; numerous nieces and nephews, and members of her religious community. Prayers for Sister Gerard will be held at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 DesMeurons, at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Cathedral. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2002