SOEUR LUCILLE SABOURIN

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SOEUR LUCILLE SABOURIN Apres une longue lutte contre le cancer, Soeur Lucille Sabourin est retournee paisiblement a la Maison du Pere le 20 mars 2003 a lage 62 ans entouree de sa famille religieuse, du personnel infirmier, de sa soeur Lorraine, quelques amies intimes ainsi que le Pere Gerald Michaud, i.v. Dei. Lucille est nee a Scout Lake, Saskatchewan, le 22 mai 1940, de Paul Sabourin et Georgianna Prefontaine, la deuxieme dune famille de sept enfants. Elle entre au noviciat des Soeurs Grises le 5 aout 1959 et se consacre au Seigneur a la suite de Sainte Marguerite dYouville pour le service des pauvres, le 15 fevrier 1962. Infirmiere de profession, Soeur Lucille obtient son baccalaureat en Nursing de lInstitut Marguerite dYouville a Montreal. Elle travaille a lHopital de Gravelbourg jusquau moment ou elle soffre pour aller en mission au Bresil. De 1971 jusquen 1993, Soeur Lucille se devoue en Amerique latine, comme infirmiere dabord en assumant la direction dun hopital de 30 lits. Elle chemine aussi avec des groupes de femmes essayant de leur transmettre des methodes de prevention dans le domaine de lhygiene et de la sante. Dans la suite, le travail aupres des jeunes occupe une grande partie de son apostolat. Plusieurs jeunes soeurs grises bresiliennes reconnaitront linfluence que Soeur Lucille a eu sur elles dans leur decision de se consacrer au Seigneur dans la vie religieuse. Malheureusement, en 1987, le cancer allait lobliger de ralentir; cest avec regret quelle revient au Canada en 1993. Elle continuera de rayonner par sa joie de vivre et par son amour de la jeunesse. Elle sengage aupres des jeunes a la paroisse portugaise a Winnipeg tout en assumant certains services communautaires, selon les nombreux talents quelle possede. Femme de priere et de foi, Soeur Lucille continue aussi de vivre pleinement sa vie en composant et partageant prieres, poemes, lhistorique de sa famille ainsi que de son experience missionnaire et en correspondant avec lequippe de lAmerique latine. Le devouement et loubli de soi de Lorraine Bouvier, soeur bien-aimee de Soeur Lucille, a ete vraiment remarquable au cours des dernieres semaines de sa longue et penible maladie. De meme, parmi les nombreuses amies de Soeur Lucille, trois dentre elles lui ont manifeste une fidelite in lassable: Agnes Remillard, Huguette Joyal et Alice Epp. Les parents de Soeur Lucille Sabourin, ainsi que sa soeur Viviane lont precedee dans la mort. Elle laisse dans le deuil deux soeurs: Pauline (Claude Prefontaine) et Lorraine (Henri Bouvier) trois freres: John (Maureen), Joseph (Dolores) et Laurent; ainsi que plusieurs neveux et nieces. La famille desire exprimer leurs sinceres remerciements aux Soeurs Grises, ainsi quaux membres du personnel de linfirmerie de la Maison provinciale. Une celebration de la Parole aura lieu a la Maison provinciale des Soeurs Grises le dimanche 23 mars a 19 h 30 et la messe des funerailles sera celebree au meme endroit lundi le 24 mars a 10 h. SISTER LUCILLE SABOURIN After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Sister Lucille Sabourin returned peacefully to the Fathers House on March 20, 2003 at the age of 62 surrounded by her religious sisters, infirmary personnel, her sister Lorraine, a number of intimate friends and Father Gerald Michaud, iv. Dei. Lucille was born in Scout Lake, Saskatchewan, on May 22, 1940, whose parents were Paul Sabourin and Georgiana Prefontaine. She was the second of a family of seven children. Lucille entered the Grey Nuns Novitiate on August 5, 1959. In the footsteps of St. Marguerite dYouville, Sister Lucille Sabourin consecrated herself to God in the service of the poor on February 15, 1962. Nurse by profession, Sister Lucille obtained her baccalaureate degree in Nursing from Marguerite dYouville Institute in Montreal. She was then assigned to Gravelbourg Hospital until she volunteered to go on mission in Brazil. From 1971 to 1993, Sister Lucille provided ministry in Latin America, first as a director of a small hospital of 30 beds. She also served closely with groups of women, trying to help them learn preventative methods of hygiene. Later, she dedicated herself to youth ministry. Many young Brazilian Grey Nuns recognized that they owe their religious vocation to Sister Lucille whose life had an impact on their decision. Unfortunately in 1987, Sister was diagnosed with cancer and thus had to relinquish her many commitments. It was with deep regret that she returned to Canada in 1993. Throughout her life, she continued to radiate joy and love for the youth. In spite of her limited physical strength, Sister committed herself to the youth of a Portuguese community in Winnipeg as well as other community services which she rendered generously in accordance with her many talents. Woman of faith and prayer, Sister Lucille spent the last years composing and sharing with others, prayers and poems, articles relating her family history and missionary experience as well as corresponding with the Sisters in Latin America. Lorraine Bouvier, Lucilles sister, devoted weeks at her side with much love and concern during her intense suffering. Sister Lucille had a countless number of long time friends who assisted her in the final days, especially Agnes Remillard, Huguette Joyal and Alice Epp. Sister Lucille experienced the loss of her parents; and her sister Viviane. She leaves to mourn her passing two sisters, Pauline (Claude Prefontaine) and Lorraine (Henri Bouvier) three brothers, John (Maureen), Joseph (Dolores) and Laurent; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to all the Grey Nuns and the infirmary staff. A liturgy of the word will be celebrated on Sunday, March 23, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. at the Grey Nuns Provincial House, 151 Despins Street. The funeral mass will be presided by Father Leo Couture on March 24, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the same place. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2003