Sister Germaine Guénette

June 10, 1930 – December 17, 2025

Sister Germaine Guénette, RNDM, born June 10, 1930, passed away suddenly at Villa Aulneau on the evening of December 17, 2025.

She was predeceased by her parents Berthe (Dandeneau) and Jules Guénette, her brothers Gérard, Aimé, Maurice (Blanche), Georges, and Jean-Paul (Lucille), and by her sisters Lucille (Lucien Séguin), Florence, Alice (Paul Auger), Thérèse, and Simone (Graham Stinson).

She leaves to mourn the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and she is lovingly remembered by her sister-in-law Blanche Auger and by her nieces and nephews through three generations. Among them, her nieces Denise and Michelle Auger were especially attentive to Germaine following her return from Peru in 2014.

Germaine’s religious missionary life began in 1950 when she travelled from St. Boniface to Jacques-Cartier, Quebec, to enter the novitiate of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. She made her first profession of vows on August 15, 1952. She began her religious life as a cook for the RNDM community at Fatima, Quebec. While delighting the palates of her community, she studied toward her teaching certificate. She later completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education at the University of Montreal in 1966.

During her teaching career in Quebec and Manitoba, Germaine continued her professional development, completing additional courses and earning certificates in catechetics, Scripture, and teaching English as a second language. As a teacher, she was deeply appreciated for her professional approach, her dedication to young people, her pedagogical skills, and her collaborative spirit.

A missionary at heart, Germaine left her teaching career to serve in Peru in 1989. She learned Spanish and undertook further studies to help her live fully within and appreciate another culture. In Ilo, Peru, she served the poorest of the poor and was dearly loved by the people she accompanied. One of her sister-companions described her as an iconic missionary.

Upon her return to Canada in 2014, Germaine took up residence at Villa Aulneau. From there, she walked the streets of St. Boniface, visiting the sick and dying at St. Boniface Hospital and Actionmarguerite St. Boniface. She cherished time with her family, especially Sunday dinners, celebrations, and outings for coffee and conversation. She particularly enjoyed watching the Winnipeg Jets and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Germaine never missed a party.

Her quick wit, sense of humour, playfulness, and generous heart endeared her to many. She will be deeply missed by the countless people whose lives she touched.

Germaine’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Villa Aulneau, 601 Rue Aulneau, on December 31, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., with Bishop Noël Delaquis as the principal celebrant. Burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the RNDM Mission Fund for Peru, 393 Gaboury Place, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0L5. Online donations may also be made at:  https://rndmcanada.org/donate/

Soeur Germaine Guénette RNDM, né le 10 juin 1930, est decédée soudainement le 17 décembre 2025 à la Villa Aulneau.

Elle a été précédée par ses parents Berthe Dandeneau et Jules Guénette ainsi que ses frères Gérard, Aimé, Maurice (Blanche), Jean-Paul (Lucille) et Georges, ses sœurs Lucille (Lucien Séguin) Florence, Thérèse, Alice (Paul Auger), Simone (Graham Stinson).

Elle laisse dans le deuil les Religieuses Notre Dame des Missions, sa belle-sœur Blanche, ainsi que trois générations de ses nièces et ses neveux. Depuis son retour du Pérou, ses nièces, Michelle et Denise Auger ont pris soin d’elle.

La messe des funérailles aura lieu à la Villa Aulneau au 601 rue Aulneau à 13h30 le 31 décembre 2025.  Monseignor Noël Delaquis sera le célébrant.  L’enterrement aura lieu à une date antérieure.

Tributes:  www.cropo.com