Helene Gignac
Soeur Hélène Gignac – 1930 – 2014

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sister Hélène Gignac on February 28, 2014. She died peacefully at her home with sisters, friends and family at her side after a courageous four month battle with cancer, throughout which time she maintained an accepting countenance, with an ever brave smile. Hélène was born on September 7th, 1930 in Albertville. She was the ninth child of thirteen children born to Donat and Marie Gignac. At the age of fifteen, she entered the religious order of Les Filles de la Providence (Daughters of Providence). She was a dedicated teacher and a school principal for forty-one years, three in Saskatchewan (one in Whitefish) and thirty-eight in Quebec. When she retired in 1989, she volunteered in the city of St-Lambert and in Longueuil at the parish church of St Jude. Sister Hélène was always welcoming and opened their home to many friends, family and other Daughters of Providence and most always bed and breakfast was included. Hélène enjoyed housekeeping, entertaining, visiting, playing cards, and back yard birds and flowers. She was great at facilitating large gatherings and excelled as a hostess. She touched the lives of many with her great attitude, her wit, and exemplary life. She always put the needs of others before her own. In 1998, when she moved back to her roots in Saskatoon to live with her sister Angeline and other Sisters of the Religious Order, her first desire was to pray more and prepare for the ultimate moment of death. She accepted her sickness in great faith seeing it as a call to her real home in heaven. She will be missed greatly by her Religious Community – Les Filles de la Providence, her sisters, brothers and numerous nephews and nieces. The Daughters of Providence and family want to express their heartfelt thanks to the many friends, neighbors, the nurses from Palliative Care, her family doctor, Dr. Shenouda and Father Bernard deMargerie . Special thanks to Sister Joan Rice who helped Sister Angéline in giving the best of care. Rather than the usual prayer vigil, a Eucharistic Celebration will be celebrated on Thursday, March 6 at 11 :00 a.m at Canadian Martyrs Church (1007 Windsor St, Saskatoon). The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2014 at St Jacques Parish (Albertville, SK). Rite of committal will take place at the cemetery in Albertville, SK. Arrangements in care of David Polzen – MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca

• Date : 2014-02-28 06:00:00