Sister Yolande Charron
“Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” (1 Sam. 3:9)
On May 19, 2021, Sister Yolande Charron,
in religion M.-Daniel-de-Padoue,
went home to God.
She was 84 years of age, with 60 years of religious profession.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, she was the eldest of the six children
of Roméo Charron and Lorica Giroux.
Yolande successfully completed her initial studies, obtaining her grade 9 certificate at Saint-Nom-de-Marie Convent (Outremont Convent), her senior high school certificate at Stadacona and her teacher’s certificate at Eulalie-Durocher Teachers’ College. Following this, she taught for three years at François-Laflèche in Montreal.
In 1958, at the age of 22, sure of her vocation as <a teacher and acquainted with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Yolande entered the SNJM Outremont novitiate. After receiving the name Sister M.-Daniel-de-Padoue, she taught for three years at Saints-Anges School in Montreal. Following her Juniorate year she was missioned to Valleyfield where she would remain for 21 years. She specialized in the teaching of Secondary 1 Mathematics at the co-ed schools of Sainte-Cécile and Jonathan, while living community life at Maison Bellerive.
After a sabbatical year, she was missioned to Grandbois Residence in Montreal where she remained for 29 years, continuing her career as a Mathematics teacher at Outremont Convent (Pensionnat Saint-Nom-de-Marie). On the occasion of her 50th anniversary of religious profession, Kathleen Caissy, the principal, gave this tribute:
“Sister Yolande has always been an extraordinary educator. Besides teaching (…), she was a home-room teacher who provided support to her own students and also to the boarders. She was also a pedagogical consultant in the school. With one of her colleagues, she animated retreats for the students. Her retirement in 1997 meant a change of career as she accepted various different services within her community and at our school.”
She offered her dedication and skills in the following areas: member of the Provincial Leadership Team, secretary and writer, pedagogical consultant at Outremont Convent, member and secretary of the administrative boards of private teaching institutions, member of SNJM provincial committees, catechist and collaborator in sacramental preparation at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Parish, visitor to the sick and elderly, and French tutor for immigrants.
Good humored, discreet, reserved, attentive to people, and a source of wise advice, Sr. Yolande’s presence and help were greatly appreciated. In her leisure time, Sister Yolande loved to cultivate good friendships and to read spiritual texts. Her favourite prayer was the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
At the age of 77, Sister Yolande was welcomed into the infirmary. There she devoted herself to a full-time prayer ministry. During her seven last years, she often prayed to the Virgin Mary, “Teach me to listen to the Word,” as she prepared to meet her God.