Sister Cécile Coiteux

“Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand." (Jer. 18, 6)

September 7, 2017, Sister Cécile Coiteux 
in religion Marie.-Rose-Monique 
went home to God. 

She was 86 years old and had been professed for 66 years. 
Born in Repentigny, Quebec, she was the 4th of the 11 children 
of Frédéric Coiteux and Robertine Amireault.

Cecile grew up happily on her father’s farm. The 11 children who arrived in rapid succession were welcomed into a family that was both fervent and hardworking. As the eldest girl, Cécile learned well how to do chores around the house and displayed remarkable talents. She succeeded extremely well at the rural school, and after her elementary classes, she continued her studies at the Pensionnat de l'Épiphanie, where she met the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Cécile was a clear-thinking girl, conciliatory and attentive to others, who liked to laugh and who was inspired by nature. She was 18 years old when she decided to become an SNJM Sister.

Sister Rose-Monique began teaching first grade at the elementary level and continued teaching other grades up to grade 9 in Longueuil, Mont-Jésus-Marie and St-Hilaire, before specializing in Visual Arts which she taught at Collège de l'Assomption and École Secondaire Marie-Rose. Sister Cécile had close to 40 years of teaching experience.

Appointed to be in charge of the house at Val-Morin, Sister Cécile put her wide-ranging variety of skills at the service of others. She ensured the well-being of vacationers, both Sisters and laypeople, attended to the quality and variety of the meals, the beauty of the surroundings and the atmosphere of relaxation ... Twenty-three years went by quickly.

When she was 81, Sister Cécile had to leave her position and retired at Maison Jésus-Marie where she continued to render community services according to her capabilities: accompanying the sick and taking care of decorating before suffering a stroke which caused paralysis and she in turn, had to receive nursing care.

"Active and peaceful, the quality of her being was a testimony to her faith and her gift of self to the Lord."

"Sister Cécile knew how to create a beautiful environment: as an artist, she arranged shapes and colors. Her pieces of enamelware on copper continue to remind us of her benevolent presence".

 "As a generous woman, her gifts of time and self merged with her qualities for welcoming, listening and being in harmony."

May the Lord, her Master Potter, welcome her who welcomed others so warmly!