Sister Gisèle Lalande

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord. He has given me the strength for my work because he knew that he could trust me." (1Tim 12)

On the 11th of November 2018, Sister Gisèle Lalande,
 in religion M.-Jeanne-Céline,
went home to God.

She was 89 years of age and a professed religious for 65 years.
Born in Piedmont, Quebec, she was the eldest of the 4 children of
d'Achille Lalande and Céline Jacques.

Gisèle met the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary when she began her schooling at St-Sauveur School. She attended teachers’ college in St-Jerome administered by the Sisters of Saint-Anne and taught one year in Christieville, also in the Laurentians. At the age of 22, she entered the SNJM novitiate.

As Sister Jeanne-Céline, she began a long 45-year teaching career, 35 of those years were at Durocher College.  She used her dynamic teaching ability with the young, particularly in the fields of mathematics and audio-visual. A woman of vision, Sister Gisèle shared : " By means of the courses and the multiple activities provided at the teachers’ college and at the CEGEP, the young people have been able to develop their potential and perfect themselves from day to day  in order to collaborate, through their work, with the immense task of creation and thus become full participating citizens in society."

Reaching her retirement age, Sister Gisèle remained active and efficient, in the service of the aging. She was vice president of the board of Durocher College, co-animator in memory unit of the Maison Reaching her retirement age, Sister Gisèle remained active and efficient, in the service of the aging. She was vice president of the board of Durocher College, co-animator in memory unit of the Maison Jesus-Marie infirmary, photographer for community activities and events and member of the finance committee of the governing board of Durocher College.

 She also helped facilitate leisure activities for the infirmary and for the province. "We could always count on Sister Gisèle: what she did was well done, with diligence and care, amiability and human warmth." Until the end, she stayed in service. Her illness brought her to a complete stop on the 25th of October 2018. Only 10 days later the gift of her life on earth came to its conclusion, leaving her family, her Sisters in community and her friends in a state of consternation!

"Giving witness of a well filled life, rich in diverse ministries that were life-giving, Sister Gisèle was always there wherever there was a need to be filled. Her years carry the mark of goodness, of a great generosity, of a love impregnated with sensitivity towards others and in her friendships, a relentless fidelity."

"The Lord was surely seen through her!"