Obituary of R. ELEANOR MARIE-THÉRÈSE LEGAULT RNDM

SR. ELEANOR MARIE-THÉRÈSE LEGAULT RNDM June 20, 1925 – February 1, 2020 Sister Eleanor Marie-Thérèse Legault RNDM, died peacefully at Actionmarguerite-Taché Personal Care Home in Winnipeg on February 1, 2020. She was 94 years of age. Eleanor was born in Wolseley, SK on June 20, 1925, the eldest of six children born to Homer Toussaint Legault and Marguerite Evelyn Tourigny. She was preceded in death by her parents, by Nettie Warner her Aunt-Guardian, by her brothers Joseph Albert, Benjamin and Henry, and by her sister Madeleine Mayell. She is survived by her sister Nettie Craig of Nanaimo, by her religious community, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews. Upon completing high school, Eleanor responded to a sense of call to religious life, and entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM) at Sacred Heart College in Regina in 1943. After nine years of religious formation and discernment, she made her perpetual vows in 1952. Over the course of her long religious life, Eleanor taught in various elementary and secondary schools in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and often served as principal as well. During her early teaching years, she also took university courses, and gained Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Education, as well as various certifications to serve as principal, teach theology, and teach French. Eleanor was a dedicated teacher who loved her students into learning. After her retirement from classroom teaching, Eleanor spent a good deal of time visiting the sick, the bereaved, those who were shut-in. Daily Mass was very much a part of her life, the Bible was her constant companion, and various prayer groups sustained her spirituality. One of her great joys of this period of her life was the years she taught English at White Flower School to immigrants, and refugees, many of whom were also senior citizens. She enjoyed this ministry very much, and these students were her pride and joy. Along with her teaching skills Eleanor also brought qualities of respect, patience and good humour to this important work of helping newcomers learn another language and a way of communicating with others in their new home. Sr. Eleanor was always active in church ministries of various kinds. She used her artistic gifts to advantage as part of this service. She was accomplished at tatting, and made over 25 stoles for priests in Canada, the U.S.A., Peru and Brazil. According to her own account, the most important aspect of Eleanor’s life was her love of God and the people she taught. God was her priority. God’s values and standards, as she perceived them, inspired her to be the best person she could be. The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions are most grateful to the residents and nursing staff at Actionmarguerite Taché for the care given to Sr. Eleanor over the many years she was a resident. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be on Thursday February 27th, at Résidence Despins, 151 Rue Despins at 1.30 pm with Rev. Isaîe Blanhcette OMI presiding. Cremation has already taken place, and Interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers friends may wish to send a donation to the Mission Fund of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, 393 Gaboury Place, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 0L