Sister Yvette Ricard has gone to the home promised to her, according to the Word of Jesus: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
On May 15, 2025, in Actionmarguerite (St. Boniface), Manitoba, Sister Yvette passed away in the presence of her fellow sisters. She leaves to mourn her religious community, her brother Denis (Elsie), her sister Thérèse Lechasseur, her sister-in-law Suzanne, the family of Marie and Dan Federkevic, many nieces and nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents George and Aurore (Neault), her brothers Félix, Armand, Euclid, Joseph, Germain, Bernard, and Marcel, as well as her sisters Emma and Cécile.
Born in Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes, Manitoba, on July 20, 1924, the sixth of twelve children, Yvette said she had a happy childhood on their farm in Giroux. She attended elementary school in Sainte-Anne and completed her eleventh year at the Grey Nuns’ convent, also in Sainte-Anne.
On July 24, 1943, Yvette entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Outremont and made her first profession on August 23, 1945. She then lived in Quebec and taught for three years in Mackayville. Returning to Manitoba, her teaching career took her to several schools here and in Ontario, as well as to Duluth, Minnesota. After obtaining a teaching certificate, she earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education and completed a course in Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. She also attended adult counselling sessions at Pluri-elles.
Sister Yvette was always a people person. Receiving visitors brought her joy, and meeting former colleagues and students warmed her heart.
In 1987, after her teaching career, Sister Yvette volunteered at St. Gerard School and was in charge of the kitchen at the Résidence Jésus-Marie. She also volunteered with the organizations Pluri-elles and Entre-temps.
The Ricard family and Sister Yvette’s fellow sisters thank the staff of the Résidence Despins and the 3DE unit of Actionmarguerite for the excellent care and compassion shown to Sister Yvette.
On Friday, May 23, at 1:15 p.m., a eulogy will be followed by the Eucharistic liturgy at the Résidence Despins, 151 Despins Street, St. Boniface. Burial will take place at a later date at the St-Boniface cemetery, Archibald Street, St-Boniface.
Sister Yvette Ricard left this earthly dwelling for the permanent home promised by Jesus’ own words: ‘In my Father’s house there are many dwellings; I go to prepare a place for you.’
On May 15, 2025 at Actionmarguerite (St. Boniface) Manitoba Sister Yvette died peacefully surrounded by sisters of her community. She leaves to mourn her passing: her religious family, her brother Denis (Elsie), her sister Thérèse Lechasseur, her sister-in-law, Suzanne, Marie and Dan Federkevic’s family, many nephews and nieces and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents George and Aurore (Neault), her brothers Félix, Armand, Euclid, Joseph, Bernard, Germain, Marcel and her sisters Emma, and Cécile.
Born in Saint-Anne-des-Chênes on July 20, 1924, Yvette is the sixth child in a family of twelve children. Yvette acknowledges that she had a happy childhood, growing up on a farm in Giroux, Manitoba. She attended school in Sainte-Anne-des-Chênes. In grade 11, she was a boarder at the Grey Nuns’ convent in the same town.
On July 24, 1943, Yvette entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at Outremont, Quebec and made her first profession of vows on August 23, 1945. She first taught at Mackayville, Québec for three years. Her return to Manitoba opened the door to different places where the Sisters of the Holy Names administered schools from primary grades to grade 12. But Sister Yvette also taught in Kenora and Duluth, Minnesota.
Her studies leading to a teaching certificate were followed by a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of education and a course in Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. She also followed sessions in adult counselling and biblical studies.
Sister Yvette has always been a person of relationships. Welcoming visitors was a great joy for her. She has kept in contact with numerous friends as well as with the members of her family to the end of her life. Meeting former teaching colleagues and former students touched her heart and was most uplifting.
Sister retired in 1987, and wasted no time to volunteer her services at St. Gerard School and to take the responsibility of the kitchen at Résidence Jésus-Marie. Pluri-elles and Entre-Temps were also part of her volunteering.
The family and the members of her religious community thank the staff at Résidence Despins and the personnel of 3DE unit at Actionmarguerite for their care and compassion.
On Friday, May 23 the funeral mass was at Résidence Despins, 151, rue Despins, St. Boniface. Burial followed at a later date at St. Boniface Cemetery, Archibald Street, St. Boniface.