Sister Aline Côté

“The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.”  (Psalm 23)

July 27, 2015, Sister Aline Côté 
in religion Marie-Armand,
went home to God. 

She was 72 years old and had been professed for 51 years. 

Born in St-Jacques-le-Majeur, Quebec, she was the 2nd of six children 
of Armand Côté and Adrienne Martineau. 

After her primary studies at the local school, Aline became a boarder at the SNJM Convent in Disraeli. When she was 18 years old, having obtained a teaching diploma, she taught for a year at St-Ferdinand d'Halifax School before entering the SNJM Novitiate in Montreal.

Sister Marie-Armand excelled with children at the primary level. For 36 years, she adapted extraordinarily well to the program changes made by the Ministry of Education. In the Eastern Townships, especially in Garthby, Sister Aline left her mark as she also did at Mont Jésus-Marie, in Outremont, where she taught Grade two for 19 years. 

"She distinguished herself among the excellent teachers whom we have met. Her sense of fairness, her respect for the individuality of each child regarding behaviour and her academic performance merited special attention. Above all, it was her pedagogical approach at the academic level (…) which won our appreciation and esteem. (…) She believed in our son and gave him confidence."

When she left teaching at the age of 57. Sister Aline, an excellent technician, was in charge of computers for the Motherhouse, for Résidence Ste-Émélie and was on call for the SNJM’s from the province. An active woman, who loved to be close to nature, maintained a large flowerbed simply for the delight of her companions. She also dedicated two weeks to the seasonal opening and closing of the SNJM chalets in Val-Morin and she was a valued member of the St-Leonard choir.

"Sister Aline never counted her time. What services were rendered in silence and discretion!!! Working with perfection, she put her whole heart into her activities. Ill health had weighed down her steps and battered her body but she courageously continued on her journey." “Her characteristic tenacity led her to fight illness without ever giving up."

"Aline chose to live her life fully until the end, to participate in the advancement of science by accepting all that medical science had to offer.  She always hoped for a cure.”

In spite of everything, Sister Aline remained committed to attending her annual retreat in Quebec City for which she had previously registered. Defying all prudence, she set out and arrived at the retreat house.  There, the retreat director helped her live her last moments and entrust herself into the arms of her Shepherd.