Sister Georgette Leroux
“The Lord is my Light and my Salvation” (Ps 26, 1)
On the 1st of January 2020, Sister Georgette Leroux,
in religion M.-Rose-Léonie,
went home to God.
She was 95 years of age, 72 years in the vowed life.
Born in Montreal, Québec, she was the 8th of the 12 children
born to Hosanna Leroux and Rose-de-Lima Leclair.
Georgette grew up in Montreal, in the borough of Hochelaga, in Très-Saint-Rédempteur parish. She went to Madeleine-de-Verchères school and then worked for her father who owned a Rolex business. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at the age of 21.
She didn’t speak much about her family nor about her years of formation. When she became a novice and took the holy habit, she received the name Marie-Rose-Léonie, the names of her mother and god-mother. Her first nominations were as a teacher in the 2nd cycle of elementary, at Sainte-Eulalie, Cherrier, Delorimier, Saints-Anges…, and in the high school at St-Maxime, Contrecoeur, St-Louis-de-Gonzague, Marie-Rose… Ardent and active, she gave of herself, heart and soul, to her classes with devotion, initiative and creativity. During her final years of teaching, Sister Georgette was responsible for audio-visual services at Marie-Rose high school.
“Sister Georgette taught me in 5th grade: she was one of the best teachers I had: an excellent pedagogue, was very disciplined with a human touch. For many years, I continued to visit her. She was one of the inspirations for my SNJM vocation.”
Having been with the youth for almost 32 years, Sister Georgette was assigned to community services in the Albani residence, then went to Sainte-Émilie residence where she served as receptionist and librarian. Her vision and hearing failed progressively. Being proactive, she sought the necessary technical help to manage her disabilities. Despite her handicaps, her presence at community meetings showed her interest in life around her.
“Sister Georgette often received books from her family; she loved to read about religious apparitions and shared her devotion and her books with others.
At 83 years of age, Sister Georgette was welcomed to our infirmary. She lived for 12 more years. Mostly keeping to herself, being as autonomous as possible, she did not walk about much. However, she liked to talk a lot, even to herself alone in her room. A simple piety nourished her daily life as she continued to be interested in world events and in making small handicrafts.
Emprisoned by her deteriorated vision and hearing, she found the last years to be difficult. She spent a lot of time in prayer, ready to welcome the God of her hope.