In section: In Memory

Sister Germaine D’Aoust

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. Mt. 25:23

July 21, 2011, Sister Germaine D’Aoust,
in religion, Marie-Elzéar
went home to God.

She was 94 years old and had been professed for 71 years.
Born in Ormstown, Quebec,
she was the 9th of ten children of Elzéar D’Aoust and Évelina Maheu.

Sister Germaine’s first teachers at her parochial school were lay people.  Later, she was taught by the Sisters of the Holy Names.  Following graduation, she attended teacher education courses at the “École Normale” of Valleyfield.  She loved to skate and play tennis.  Upon completion of her studies, she lived at home for two and a half years before answering the call which she had heard when she was very young. She entered the SNJM novitiate in Montreal at the age of 21.  Sister Marie-Elzéar was skilled in sewing and knitting and also played the piano.  She had a great desire to teach in a classroom.

During her first two years after profession she taught regular classes as well as music.  Then rather quickly, Sister Marie-Stéphane sent her to teach piano and singing in our various boarding schools, a career that totalled 26 years.  At the age of 49, she was asked to leave teaching and to become involved in community service especially as a “chauffeur”, a task she did for 33 years.  Regarding this much-appreciated driver, “We can pay tribute to her calmness, availability, kindness and patience.”

Sister Germaine was also “hostess’ at our General Administration in Pierrefonds and later “chauffeur” at the Congregational House in Longueuil, during the two mandates of the General Leadership Team.  She was greatly appreciated for “her kindness, welcoming spirit, and her attention to the needs of each person.”  When she retired she divided her time between prayer ministry and that of receptionist. In her personal notes, Sister Germaine mentions that she had a great trust in her guardian angel, to whom she faithfully prayed every morning and evening.  She also had a great love for the Virgin Mary.  Each night before going to bed, she prayed the well-known prayer: “O Virgin, it is late, all have fallen alseep…”

The Blessed Virgin Mary was certainly there to welcome our Sister as she took her final breath and to present her to her Beloved Son!

Other articles in the section In Memory
Sister Noëlla Gagnon
Sister Jeannine Cornellier
Sister Claire Giroux
Sister Gisèle Marcil
Sister Gisèle Lalande
Sister Mary Ellen Collins
Sister Denise Rivet
Sister Madeleine Philie
Sister Monique Robitaille
Sister Claire Montcalm