Sr. Mary Pauline

May 28, 1903 – December 21, 2002

On Saturday, December 21, 2002 Sister Mary Pauline (Stella Desroches), Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary left this earth to go to her God. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary DesRoches; her two brothers, Ernest and Rennie; and her two sisters, Rosella and Beatrice (Sister Anne of Lorraine, Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary). Sister Mary Pauline will be missed by the members of her religious order, by the staff at Résidence Jesus-Marie, by her nieces Vivian Calden and Marie Lyford, who loved her so faithfully, and by her friends and coworkers at St. Mary’s Academy.

Stella DesRoches was born on May 28, 1903 in Miscouche, PEI, the youngest child of John and Mary DesRoches. Stella left “the Island” to come to Winnipeg to complete her studies. Her sister, Sister Anne of Lorraine, was stationed in Winnipeg at the time. For over 40 years, Sister Mary Pauline taught in various parochial schools and at St. Mary’s Academy.

When she retired from classroom teaching, Sister Mary Pauline taught piano, guitar and mandolin to beginning students. In 1987, she retired to St. Mary’s Academy where she loved to help in the accounting office. In July 1994, Sister Mary Pauline moved to Résidence Jesus-Marie and entered the infirmary July 7, 1997.

As a teacher and a principal, Sister Mary Pauline loved the children entrusted to her care and was loved by them in return. In cash-strapped parochial schools, Sister Mary Pauline always had on-going projects to raise money for sports equipment, books or copying machines. Once retired, Sister Mary Pauline enjoyed her love of music, sharing it with her pupils or bringing joy to the Sisters as she played the “golden oldies”. Sister Mary Pauline had a “green thumb”. Many convents, school yards and schools were beautified with her trees, plants and flowers. Sister Mary Pauline loved to tease, even during her illness. We will miss her questions, her humour and her gentle, loving presence.