Sister Marie Helene Corneau, SSA (Sr. Mary Rose Estelle)
Volume 31 Issue 1, 2 & 3 | Posted: March 24, 2017
Born November 8, 1925 in Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA, died September 19, 2016 at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Victoria, BC. Born of Franco-American parentage Helene was the sixth of eleven children. She entered the Sisters of St. Ann in 1944 and pronounced her vows on July 24, 1946. Dedicating her life to God she began teaching in New York and Massachusetts before travelling in 1951 to Western Canada as a missionary educator. Later she became a landed immigrant. For nearly 20 years Helene taught in Catholic and Government BC schools. She taught in New Westminster, Lower Post, Mission City, Port Alberni and Burnaby as well as Skagway, Alaska. Helene obtained a BA from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. In support of Helene's second ministry she gained a BFA from the University of Victoria. She provided us with many beautiful pieces of art.
Born November 8, 1925 in Central Falls, Rhode Island, USA, died September 19, 2016 at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Victoria, BC. Born of Franco-American parentage Helene was the sixth of eleven children. She entered the Sisters of St. Ann in 1944 and pronounced her vows on July 24, 1946. Dedicating her life to God she began teaching in New York and Massachusetts before travelling in 1951 to Western Canada as a missionary educator. Later she became a landed immigrant. For nearly 20 years Helene taught in Catholic and Government BC schools. She taught in New Westminster, Lower Post, Mission City, Port Alberni and Burnaby as well as Skagway, Alaska. Helene obtained a BA from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. In support of Helene's second ministry she gained a BFA from the University of Victoria. She provided us with many beautiful pieces of art. A prayerful woman sensitive to the needs of others, Helene worked with the L’Arche Community, opened a house of prayer, became part of the Co-op Housing and assisted with the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Victoria. Many sought her out for spiritual guidance. When Helene retired she resided at St. Ann's Residence gently continuing her ministry in Art and Spiritual Direction. Her final years were spent at Mount St. Mary Hospital. We will miss her caring presence. Helene is predeceased by her parents, Amedee and Hortense (Fournier) Corneau, her sisters Therese St. Pierre, Yvette Fregeolle, Gertrude Dube, Sr. Rita Corneau, f.c.s.p., George Corneau, and Raymond Corneau. She is survived by her sisters Jeanette Corneau, Lucille Marquis, Estelle Jarest and brother Arthur Corneau, many nieces, nephews as well as the Associates and her own community of Sisters of St. Ann. Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday September 22, 2016 at Sands Funeral Home, 1803 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Victoria, BC. Interment: Hatley Memorial Gardens.