Sr. Cécile Paquin

November 15, 1925 – August 30, 2005

On Tuesday, August 30, 2005, at Taché Centre, St. Boniface, Sister Cecile Paquin (Sr. Thérèse-Eléonore), member of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, died at the age of 79.

Born November 15, 1925, the daughter of Frederic Paquin and Olivine Bibeau, Cecile was raised in St. Boniface, MB and studied with the Sisters of the Holy Names and with the Missionary Oblates in St. Charles. She leaves to mourn her brothers, Fernand (Yvonne), Jean (Yolande), Rene (Anne) and Ernest (late Pauline) and numerous nieces and nephews.

In 1943, following in the footsteps of her teachers, Cecile entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in Outremont, QC. Upon her return to Manitoba in 1945, Sister Cecile taught primary grades in various schools directed by the Sisters of the Holy Names. Patient, kind and affectionate, Sister had a special gift for relating to the very young pupils entrusted to her care. To this day many remember their beloved young primary grades teacher. On one gathering honouring Mountain School Division teachers, one gentleman spontaneously embraced Sister as he exclaimed gratefully, “Sister Thérèse-Eleonore, my grade one teacher!”

Always available for rendering services, Sister Cecile was most reliable and efficient and did not fail to accomplish every detail of her assigned tasks. A dedicated environmentalist, Sister was always faithful in keeping clean the grounds surrounding the Sisters’ Résidence. During the last years, Sister dedicated her time to helping the sick Sisters in the infirmary. As her health deteriorated, Sister had to spend a few months in Grace Hospital and was then transferred to Taché Centre for a brief stay. She was a most pleasant and grateful patient.