SISTER THÉRÈSE BRUNEAU
1923 – 2017

Sister Thérèse Bruneau (Saint-Philippe) of the Sisters of the Presentation, passed away on May 18, 2017 at the Provincial House Infirmary in Prince Albert at the age of 93 years. A prayer service will be held in the Provincial House Chapel at 7:00 p.m. on May 24, 2017. Funeral Mass will be celebrated from this same chapel at 10:00 a.m. on May 25, 2017 by Very Reverend Maurice Fiolleau, Vicar General. Sister Thérèse leaves to mourn the members of her religious congregation; three sisters, Jeannette Pettigrew, Denise Black and Elizabeth (Betty) Gelineau; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Philippe and Ida (Dionne); four sisters, Georgine Fortier, Claire Rouselle, Hélène Tremblay and Marie Moland; and eight brothers, David, André, Ferdinand, Hector, Jean, Gabriel, Joseph and Aimé. Sister Thérèse was born in Saint-Pierre, Manitoba on July 10, 1923. She was the seventh of a family of sixteen children. Sister Thérèse was very close to her family. She had a special relationship with her nieces and nephews. All her schooling took place in Marcelin, SK with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. It was in those years that the call to religious life grew in her heart. It was not without sorrow that she left her beloved family to join the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, but she found true happiness in the service of the Lord. On July 5, 1944, Sister Thérèse pronounced her first religious vows. In that same year she began her teaching career. She had a special attraction to her students, perhaps because they reminded her of her sisters and brothers at home. Over a span of 34 years, she taught in Debden, Marcelin, Vawn, Green Lake, Spiritwood, and the Academy of the Presentation of Mary in Prince Albert, as well as The Pas and St. Lazare in Manitoba. When she retired from teaching, Sister Thérèse’s innate ability for sewing and cooking served her in good stead. She found great joy in preparing appetizing meals for her sisters and guests. In 2002, when her health began to decline, her religious community welcomed her back to Prince Albert, where she served in whatever capacity she could. Her move to the infirmary took place in 2009. Sister Thérèse will be remembered for her devotion to the Divine Mercy and to the Blessed Virgin, and for her sincerity in the service of God. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.