MARIA ALMA DE PAPE

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MARIA ALMA DE PAPE O.S.U. December 9, 1923 April 12, 2015 Maria peacefully entered into eternal life on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Taché Centre, at the age of 91 years. Left to cherish Maria's memory is her only living brother, Joe and his wife Raymonde, sisters-in-law Paula and Gaby, many dear nieces, nephews and their families, a number of devoted friends as well as her religious Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk with whom she generously shared her life of service and love in the spirit of St. Angela Merici. Maria was predeceased by her parents August and Augusta (Lombaert) De Pape, her sisters, Angele (Sr. Augustine o.s.u.), Gerarda (George), Martha (Isadore), Madeleine (Joe), Germaine (Sr. Stanislaus o.s.u.), Michel, Albert (Mary) and Gaston. Maria was born and raised in the tiny hamlet of Bruxelles, Manitoba. She was educated by the Ursuline Sisters at Ste. Maria School, Bruxelles, MB. In 1942 Maria entered the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk Novitiate in Blue Point, New York. She returned to Manitoba in 1946 and taught school and music for 30 years. During this time she was instrumental in founding the first bilingual festival in Manitoba known as the Mountain Division Music and Drama Festival. In 1974, Maria heard a different call from God and she began studies in Pastoral Education at the Health Science Centre, Brandon and St. Paul's College. In 1977 the Grey Nuns invited her to join the Pastoral Care Department at the St. Boniface Hospital. She was given some assignments in the maternity wards where she helped to bring about a program for parents suffering a loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death. The happiest years of Maria's life were spent in Pastoral Care ministering to the needs of others. We wish to acknowledge the dedicated staff on 3DE, Taché Centre, who went beyond the call of duty in their care for Sr. Maria during her three year stay. We wish to acknowledge the staff of "Comforts of Home Care" who accompanied Maria on doctor appointments and Lise, who tended to Maria's needs. Family, friends, staff and care givers brought joy to Maria's life enabling her to carry out her mission of caring for others. Cremation has taken place and a funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Albert Bouffard o.m.i. in the Chapel at Residence Despins, 151 Despins Street, St. Boniface, MB, on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. Interment will be at a later date in the St. Gerard Parish Cemetery, Bruxelles, MB. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maria's memory may be made to Actionmarguerite, St. Boniface, 185 Despins Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2B3 or to a charity of one's choice. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 18, 2015