Sister Marthe Poliquin
On May 28, 2026, at Maison Jésus-Marie in Longueuil,
Sister Marthe Poliquin (M. Louise-Thérèse)
went home to God.
She was 100 years old and had celebrated 78 years of religious profession with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM).
A passionate musician and educator, and a woman of deep faith and conviction, Sister Marthe devoted her long life to accompanying others and helping them to experience the beauty of God and of music. Always attentive to the major issues of her time, she remained curious, engaged, and deeply rooted in faith well into her later years.
Family and Early Years
The youngest of nine children, Marthe was born in Montreal, in Immaculate Conception Parish, on March 1, 1926. Surrounded by the love of her parents, Adolphe Poliquin and Arthémise Rochon, she grew up in a Christian home where she developed an early love of learning and a desire to become a teaching Sister.
She attended Mont-Royal Boarding School and, in 1946, earned her bachelor’s degree from the École supérieure de musique d’Outremont, now known as the École de musique Vincent-d’Indy. That summer, during her graduation retreat, she recalled: “I fell head over heels in love with Jesus!”
Religious Life and Music Education
In August of 1946, following in the footsteps of three of her sisters, Marthe entered the SNJM postulate. While still in the novitiate, she began teaching music at Marie-Rose Boarding School and later at Outremont Boarding School. She made her final vows in 1953.
In 1955, she became a tenured piano teacher at École de musique Vincent-d’Indy and earned a licentiate in music. Beginning in 1963, she continued her ministry in Valleyfield for more than 30 years, first as a teacher and later as a director. Under her guidance, the music department became the École de musique Jésus-Marie. In 1982, she founded the Festival de musique Jésus-Marie, now known as Festival Classival.
A Faith Nourished by Scripture and Commitment
However, music was not Marthe’s only passion. Sister Marthe regularly devoted her vacation time to deepening her knowledge of Scripture and theology. Her interest in current events and her openness to the world also led her to become involved in environmental issues and various social causes supported by the Congregation’s corporate stands.
Following her teaching career and her formation in Scripture and religious studies, Marthe turned to parish and school pastoral ministry. For nearly 20 years, at Édouard-Montpetit Residence, she helped prepare people for the sacraments, offered Bible courses, led a small faith-sharing community centred on the Word, and provided piano and organ accompaniment for choirs.
Even in her eighties, she remained active, learned to use a computer, participated in committees, and continued to share her passion for God, current events, and music.
Sister Marthe moved to Maison Jésus-Marie in 2015. As increasing hearing loss limited her interactions, prayer became an even greater part of her mission. Her prayer intentions often focused on her concerns around peace, climate change, and social justice.