Sister Huguette Poiré

"Whoever  wishes to be great among you must be your servant.." (Mt. 20, 26)

April 3, 2012, Sister Huguette Poiré
in religion Marie-Donat went home to God.
She was 82 years old and had been professed for 61 years. 
                                                                                                    Born in Thetford-Mines, Quebec, she was the daughter of Donat Poiré and Héléna Paradis.

Huguette came from a large family. After completing Grade 8 at the “Pensionnat de Disraéli”, she remained at home to help out with the household chores. She knew the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary because she had studied with them, and also, her older sister Simone had entered that Congregation and made her profession with them. When she was 18 years old, Huguette asked to be admitted to the Novitiate.

Sister Marie-Donat was conscientious and resourceful. For 17 years, she alternated, according to the houses and their needs, between service in the kitchen, the laundry, the refectory, as a nursing assistant and working on the farm.

She lived in the convent in Mont-St-Hilaire for 25 years where she concurrently held jobs as cook, laundry worker, and as the person responsible for maintenance and driving: she was an active woman who knew how to take charge of things.

From there, Sister Huguette was assigned to Résidence Jésus-Marie in Sainte-Martine. She continued to serve the community as a driver and was also in charge of maintenance. She put her whole heart into her work. After 18 years of service, when the decision to close the house was made, she had to leave. To many people, Sister Huguette was a “part of the scenery”.

She was described in the following way: “Sister Huguette displayed a great sense of responsibility and joyfully responded to the services required of her. She demonstrated great tenacity in her work. It was her way of showing that God was continuing to work in the world through her service. Her work put her in touch with a lot of people from outside the community, and because of her joy, her spontaneity, and her quick wit, she had many friends.”

When Sister Huguette was admitted to Maison Jésus-Marie in Longueuil, her work ethic took on another dimension: that of complete detachment due to the generalized cancer which had spread very quickly...

So much passion to offer to the Lord!