Sister Yvonne Laperle

“Ask and you shall receive so that your joy may be complete” Jn 16:24

Sister Yvonne Laperle,
her religious name M.-Joseph-Edmond,
went home to God May 19, 2009.
She was 94 years old
and had been professed for 74 years.
Born in Joliette, Quebec,
she was the second of 13 children. 
Her parents were Oliva Laperle and Analda-Cordélia Valois.

Sister Yvonne grew up in the Hochelaga area of Montreal, where her father owned a butcher shop.  She attended Hudon, St-Nom-de-Marie and Stadacona schools.  Despite maintaining good grades she did not complete high school because she stayed at home to help out her mother.  She was greatly influenced by the deep faith and generosity of her family.  From the age of five, she always added a “Hail Mary” to her night prayers asking that one day “she would become a Sister”.

During her postulancy, Sr. Yvonne aided in the infirmary. It was said that she had a “serene face, peaceful presence and a warm smile”. These traits were evident throughout her life.

During her first four years as a professed Sister she lived with 107 Sisters at Mont-Royal boarding school. Being the only refectorian, she approached this great task with the attitude of  “being rooted in Christ”.

During the next 60 years, Sister Yvonne’s work in the infirmary was exemplified by love, peace and joy.  Her prayer life, discretion and humility enabled her to be a sign of hope and a witness to Gospel service.  She worked for six years in the sewing room, mending whatever needed to be mended, before being admitted to the infirmary

Sister Yvonne shared her following secret: “Finding happiness in the love of God helped me forget the small trials in my life!”