Sr. Hélène Rousseau

May 31, 1927 – February 10, 2024

At Actionmarguerite, St. Boniface, Manitoba on February 10, 2024 after a full, long life of service, Sister Hélène was called to her God. She leaves in mourning, her religious family, nephews and nieces and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Pauline, Madeleine, Georgette and her brothers Louis, Robert, Olivier and Jean.

Daughter of Antoinette Rodrigue and Georges Rousseau, Hélène was born in Ponteix, Saskatchewan on May 31, 1927. She starts school in Ponteix, but following a family move to Manitoba, continued her schooling at King George School in Norwood and then at St. Joseph’s Academy. In her teenage years, Hélène was greatly influenced by her teachers, the Sisters of the Holy Names. Shortly after her graduation, she began her religious formation in Outremont, Québec on January 24, 1947. Hélène made her first profession of vows on February 25, 1949, and her final profession on August 5, 1953.

As a member of a teaching community, she pursued her studies and, after obtaining a teaching certificate, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Education degree at the University of Manitoba.

As a student, Hélène developed leadership skills with the Guides and the Jeunesse Étudiante Catholique. Later in her religious order, she was called to serve as a local superior, and a school principal at Somerset, Manitoba. Between 1949 and 1968, her warm personality was greatly appreciated by numerous students in different schools: Immaculate Conception School, Saint-Pierre-Jolys, St. Mary’s Academy, Sainte-Agathe, Somerset and St. Joseph’s Academy.

From 1969 to 1975, Sister Hélène was called to serve her community as provincial superior. After a sabbatical year, she return to the classroom at Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

As it had always been, so it continued to be. During her final sixteen years of ministry—as a classroom teacher, guidance counsellor, and instructor in Catechetics—she carried out her work with joy, bringing happiness to those she served. Sister Hélène also assumed additional responsibilities beyond her regular duties, including providing spiritual formation for the SNJM Associates and coordinating the parish liturgical team. She touched the lives of many and was deeply appreciated.