Photo By Gene Hutnack

Born in September 1906 in the village of St. Hypolite de Wotton in Quebec, Canada, Jeanne was the middle child of seven, two girls, a boy, then Jeanne, then one girl and two boys. She received her diploma from the Nicolet Normal School at 17 and taught children in the lower grades until entering the FMM novitiate in Quebec at almost 21 years of age. Jeanne received the habit and the name Marie Domitille and was then missioned to the USA, with a view to the foundation in Cincinnati. She first went to Divine Providence where she did a number of house charges and worked on picking up more English. She had already been learning it having been told by her novice mistress to 'parler avec les angIais' (the novices from Ontario). She cared for the children and taught them and also taught in Orient Heights, MA. She made her final vows in Fruit Hill May 1933.

Jeanne was sent to St. Anthony's in Cincinnati where she served as receptionist and sub-assistant and then later to St. Anthony's in Fall River where she studied nursing at St. Anne's Hospital and received her certificate of nursing in 1939. During her time there she was community infirmarian as well. Between 1939 and 1945 she shuttled back and forth, wherever she was needed, between Palenville (summer camp and convalescent home in town) and Cardinal Hayes in Millbrook, as well as taking private duty cases. Then she was sent to St. Francis, Roslyn, for some time to help care for Mother Kevelaer and to work in the hospital; after this, she went to be the nurse in Divine Providence Child Care agency on 45th Street, Manhattan, NY. Her longest time in one mission was the twenty years spent in St. Michael's AZ. Here, she worked both as teacher and nurse with a community of between four and seven sisters. She was involved teaching religion classes to groups of children on their visits to the outstations as well as taking along as 'Ambulatory Dispensary' with non-prescription types of medications and salves, making referrals to the hospital if necessary. Jeanne also gave some home nursing courses to the women of Window Rock, Kin Lichee and other places, sometimes counseling and always learning and understanding more of the Navajo language. She was referred to as 'The Little Doctor' and 'The One who Understands Us', high compliments to the small-of-stature missionary. After twenty years, Jeanne was asked to move, and she felt as though she'd got her 'devoir accomplis'. She was called east to do clinic nursing and to be the community infirmarian at McMahon Services, 112th Street. This community was closed and moved to 45th Street, and Jeanne was nurse for the shelter. In 1972, courtesy of the Archdiocese of New York, Jeanne went with several other sisters to Puerto Rico for a few weeks to learn Spanish needed with the children with whom she worked. A big highlight for Jeanne in 1978 was the celebration of her Golden Jubilee and a trip to Mexico, especially to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Later, sent to be part of the Formation Community of Morse Avenue in Chicago, Jeanne enjoyed her time there, where she visited shut-ins and was a Eucharistic Minister. She did a renewal course of three months in North Providence, Bethany in 1983. In July of 1991, Jeanne was called to St. Francis, Roslyn, where she served Eucharistic Minister to the patients, helped in the sacristy, and gradually took up the 'sewing shop ministry', making aprons and bibs for many customers with Sr. Beatrice Cote. For quite a few years, she made a Sunday pilgrimage around the St. Francis grounds, praying for all who work there and for the success of the works. She still regales her community members from time to time with interesting anecdotes and impressions of her missionary treks. Sent to Our Lady Queen of Peace community, she continued to assist Sr. Beatrice Cote doing sewing. Ever keen, alert and interested in Institute and world events and an active participant in community life, she is truly an amazing woman at 100 years of age.