Sister Lucille De Grandpré

“I came to serve.” (Matthew 20, 28)

July 23, 2015, Sister Lucille De Grandpré,
in religion Julie-Marie  
went home to God. 

She was 88 years old and had been professed for 65 years. 

Born in St-Barthélemy, Quebec, 
she was the 2nd of the 6 children 
of Edgar De Grandpré and Clémentine Clément. 

Lucille had 2 aunts and a great aunt who were Sisters - all with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. After her primary education at the local school, she attended St-Barthélemy Boarding School and the boarding school in Verchères, which were under the direction of the SNJM’s. She then attended École Normale de Ste-Ursule with the Sisters of Providence. When she was 20 years old, she entered the SNJM’s.

Sister Julie-Marie’s teaching career spanned 33 years at the primary level of education, mostly in the schools in Montreal, and for 12 years in Hudon. Ever attentive to the needs of her students, she made uniforms for her little ones in her free time. She also taught at École Curé-Lequin on Montreal’s South Shore for 13 years.

"Sister Julie experienced great joy with her students. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to teaching and to the education of youth bringing passion, and a spirit of initiative and creativity to it."

At the request of a priest, she took care of a blind lady for many years. 

At the age of 52, Sister Lucille left teaching, but continued to work in the school milieu, at Collège Durocher de St-Lambert. For 15-17 years, she was committed to being in charge of student absences, assisting with stenography and helping out in the the library. At the same time, she was a volunteer at Paroisse St-Jude: sewing for the bazaar, cleaning (the church floor, maintenance), reception... She travelled around by bicycle and profited by her trips to do messages for her companions. 

Deeply appreciated by the teachers and students, Sister Lucille, whom the children nicknamed 'la petite madame', (the little lady) responded to a variety of needs in simplicity, with eagerness and good humour. 

Sister Lucille shared community life with the Sisters at Résidence St-André for 21 years. When she retired from education, the Sisters at Résidence Ste-Émélie welcomed her. "A pleasant and serene companion, she was always ready to be of service." 

During the last two years, in the infirmary at Maison Jésus-Marie, she dedicated herself to a ministry of prayer. We often met her in the hallway where she was walking because, until the very end, she remained a friendly, sociable woman who was interested in others.