Tributes pour in for late Marion Aquatics manager

In the days since Sister Jean Leier died, tributes, messages of support and flowers have been pouring in.

On Saturday morning the young lifeguards at Marion Aquatics presented her friend, Sister Annette Labrecque, 87, with flowers and a sympathy card in the office overlooking the pool. Labrecque accepted the offerings from the group, and told them of Leier’s love for them.

Leier’s expression of love were among her final words, as Labrecque told them.

“That’s what always came out from her. She loved people, whoever they were,” Labrecque said.

Leier, the long-time manager of Marion Aquatics, died at the age of 75 on Oct. 29. The Vigil of Prayer will be held at the Provincial House Chapel on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., and the funeral liturgy will be on Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

8h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

9h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

9h ago

“By the messages we received and everybody we meet seems to have remembered her … in one way or another,” Labrecque said.

She is best remembered for her involvement in Marion Aquatics throughout its history.

Leier was the principal of St. Mark School in Prince Albert prior, but the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary needed her help to care for its complex at Bishop Pascal Place. Labrecque said that’s when they decided to build a gymnasium for Rivier Academy and the architect suggested the addition of a swimming pool.

When the pool did open in 1977, it offered only public swimming. Labrecque said Leier was always there learning and supporting the lifeguards. She said the lifeguards were so dedicated because of Leier’s example.

“She was totally dedicated to her work, and she often told them, ‘you know, they come, they pay to come, so we have to give service, professional service,’” Labrecque said and added Leier wanted perfect, professional service.

But she also listened to those who wanted to talk while registering at Marion Aquatics, according to Labrecque.

“She appeared very rough and rugged. And she could be, if things didn’t work the way she wanted. But she was a very good listener.”

The years passed by with Sister Jean Leier managing the pool – then Prince Albert’s boil water crisis happened in 2012.

The pool temporarily closed, and lost income because it couldn’t offer programming.   The pool runs independently of public funds, and couldn’t tap the City of Prince Albert’s reserves to offset the losses the way a City-run facility could.

Labrecque said Leier reached out to then-city councillor, now mayor, Greg Dionne for help. Dionne represented Ward 2, where the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary is located.

He began to raise funds for Marion Aquatics. Dionne said that Leier was a giver, who didn’t like media attention. He said she was used to giving, instead of receiving, so it was humbling. 

Members of the community heard about Marion Aquatics’ plight and donated what they could.

“Especially in the way that the community responded to the event, like, it was overwhelming. We thought it’d take two, three months to raise the money and it took 30 days.”

Dionne said Leier was shocked by the warmth and outpouring from the community. Former lifeguards who worked at Marion Aquatics came back to help, he said, and added they told him Leier steered them in the right path and education.

“She was very influential in our community.”

Humble beginnings

Born near the end of the Great Depression in Mildred, Sask., Leier grew up on a farm. She worked on the farm with her father. Labrecque described her as a “tomboy” that no one thought would be a nun.

She went on to join the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1960.

Leier went on to become a teacher in Prince Albert, The Pas and Laurier, Man., then was St. Mark’s principal. At Rivier, she was a treasurer, driver education instructor and department head of maintenance.

Labrecque said it was tough for Leier to be a nun in a French congregation, but she persevered. “And anything that was tough, she always could handle it, it seems. Except this last,” Labrecque said of Leier’s final battle with health problems.

Leier’s death is a big loss for the community, Dionne said.

“And it’s a big loss for the Sisters, because she was the icon of the pool. Like, she was there for the construction of the pool and her and the other sisters over[saw] the pool.”

Labrecque has many memories of Leier, which she referred to as “souvenirs.” She said she will miss Leier’s presence the most.

Others with their own memories have written and called from across Saskatchewan, but some have come from further afield, such as Vancouver and Montreal.

One former lifeguard, she said, wrote a four-page letter, in which he said he is the person he is because of Leier.

The Sisters are now preparing to say goodbye to Leier. There will be cameras set up at the funeral and screens in the Rivier auditorium, to accommodate those who may turn out to pay their final respects to Sister Jean Leier.

Labrecque said she hopes that many people will attend.

“[Be]cause she loved to have celebrations. And that’s going to be a mighty nice one. And she deserves it.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames