Sister Gilberte Parent

“I delight to do your will, O my God” PS. 40, 9

March 21, 2011, Sister Gilberte Parent,in religion M.-Eugène-Bernard, went home to God.
She was 87 years old and had been professed for 65 years.

Born in St-Louis-de-Gonzague, Quebec,
she was the eldest of 10 children of Eugène Parent and Laurentia Pilon.

Gilbert was 8 years old when the family farm was expropriated because of the construction of the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Her father bought a farm in the Valleyfield area and the family moved there. Gillberte attended the parish school, then went to the SNJM school in Valleyfield as a boarder.  She was also a boarder for one year in Sainte-Martine. When her mother became seriously ill, Gilberte retuned home to help out with all the household duties, which she undertook with great ingenuity. The following year, at 20 years of age, she entered the novitiate.

When her novitiate ended, Sister Eugène-Bernard was named to teach children at the second grade level. While energetic, but in poor health, she spent 17 years in Contrecoeur where she remained until the closing of the house. She was 39 years old when she was asked to become a driver at our convent in Valleyfield where, for 21 years, she ralso rendered a variety of services. The following 10 years she lived at Résidence Ste-Émélie where she was the «expert» for electrical devices. Sister was a pleasant woman, good company and rather solitary so as to conserve her physical strength.

The year 2000 marked her retirement and in 2006, Sister Gilberte went to Maison Jésus-Marie in Longueuil, where the nursing care was adapted to her needs. 
At the time of her jubilee celebration, Sister Gilberte expressed herself in the following way to the members of her family: “I travelled many roads: roads deep and difficult through sickness; along happy roads in fidelity to the Lord who is always faithful. Always, I journeyed in prayer and work with the Sisters. In Valleyfield, in keeping with your joys or sorrows, I benefited from your presence and your endless thoughtfulness. For all of this, I thank the Lord.”

With Sister Gilberte we give thanks to the Lord for love received and so generously given during 87 years!