Sister Hélène Crépeau

“I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Ph.3:14

September 16, 2013, Sister Hélène Crépeau,
in religion Marie-Éva
went home to God.

She was 93 years old and had been professed for72 years.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, she was the 12th of 15 children, 11 of whom
died in infancy, of Louis-Arthur Crépeau and Éva Héroux.

Hélène grew up in the parish St Nom-de-Jésus in the east end of Montreal where the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary were teaching. Of her three surviving brothers, one became an Oblate of Mary Immaculate. When she was 19, Hélène entered the novitiate of the Congregation of her teachers. 

The teaching career of Sister Marie-Éva was very short: just one year at École Ste-Eulalie. This very active, fast-moving woman, who was a perfectionist, was named to oversee a small store in the Motherhouse where Sisters could purchase clothes and other items.. 4 years went by, and already her true charism was being recognized, and Sister Marie-Rollande, the Director General of Studies, asked her to become a secretary.

For 53 years, Sister Marie-Éva served the religious and lay personnel in our teaching establishments: the Motherhouse, Hochelaga, Pensionnat de St-Lambert, and Collège Durocher...

“With accuracy, meticulousness, tactfulness and unsurpassed speed Sister Marie-Éva responded to the various and always urgent requests! She took notes, composed, operated the office equipment, all while doing a brainteaser or a crossword puzzle...”

“Sister Hélène would read a text frontwards and backwards, if need be. Could she read to others? I have seen her read a book upside down to slow herself down!”

At Résidence Sainte-Émélie, Sister Hélène, who by then was 83, wrote the obituaries of our deceased Sisters. When she came to the infirmary in Longueuil and right up until the time of her death, “Sister Hélène remained alert by spending her free time doing her favorite pastime: crossword puzzles and especially the large Sunday crossword.”

“Sister Hélène who was always ready to help anyone she could with kindness and diligence”, also answered the Lord’s call at the end of her life, with such an instantaneous response that everyone around her was taken by surprise.