Sr. Thérèse Brodeur

April 23, 1916 – September 30, 2011

Sister Thérèse Brodeur (Sr. Flora-des-Anges) died at Taché Centre, St. Boniface, Manitoba on Friday, September 30, 2011. Sister Thérèse was born in Joliette, North Dakota on April 23, 1916. She was the ninth of ten children born to Wilfred and Délia Brodeur. She is survived by her younger sister, Mrs. Florence David of Montreal, her religious family, her good friend Margaret Hardman and many nieces and nephews.

The children of the Brodeur family received their early education in a one room school, two and half miles from the family farm. For grades 8-12, Thérèse became a boarder at the Convent in St. Jean-Baptiste, Manitoba. There she met the Holy Names Sisters who nurtured Thérèse’s many gifts. Thérèse was an apt pupil, academically strong, a gifted musician, and fluently bilingual.

The knowledge and practice of their Catholic faith was central in the Brodeur family. Not surprisingly, George became a priest, Anna became a Grey Nun, and Eva became a Sister of the Holy Names. Thérèse answered God’s invitation to serve by entering the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in Montreal. She professed her final vows on August 5, 1940.

Sister was an excellent, well-loved teacher. Students at St. Mary’s Academy, Holy Cross School, St. Joseph’s Academy, and St. Pierre Convent were blessed by her dedication and competence. In 1954 Sister Thérèse was missioned to Lesotho, Africa. How she loved the Basuto people! She taught music, religion, and English. She also initiated library services in several schools. Sister Thérèse was also called upon to be in charge of the novices. How important her faith and her experience became as she worked with young Basuto women who wished to become daughters of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher. After twenty-one years in Lesotho, Sister Thérèse came home to Manitoba.

Over her 95 years, Sister Thérèse had many loyal friends. Former pupils continued to visit her regularly. The orphan family in Lesotho that she adopted and provided for, will remain forever grateful. Letter writing and phoning kept Sister Thérèse in touch with family and friends. She will be missed by many.