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Sister Bernice Gignac, SNJM
Sister Bernard-Michel
July 29, 1941 – March 5, 2016
Departed this life on March 5, 2016 at Devonshire Seniors Residence in Windsor, Ontario. Sister Bernice had celebrated 74 years of life and 55 years of religious profession.
Sister Bernice Gignac, SNJM
Sister Bernard-Michel
July 29, 1941 – March 5, 2016
Bernice Martha Marie Gignac was born in 1941 in LaSalle, Ontario. Received into the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1960, Bernice was given the name Sr. M. Bernard-Michel, a name student and staff knew her by in Amherstburg, Sandwich and Rivière-aux-Canards, until 1970. Daughter of the late Mark J. Gignac (1995) and the late Claire Angélique Gignac (2002) (nee Mailloux). Predeceased by her brother Bernard J. Gignac (Pam) of California (2005).
The eldest in her family, Bernice was a born leader. At home, at school, and in religious community she shuffled many facets of life: student, teacher, vocation director, Provincial Team member, coordinator at Holy Names Residence, and pastoral minister in rural New Hampshire with her longtime friend, Sr. Kay Smalley, SNJM. This was followed by six years as Provincial Superior on the leadership team, and ten years with associate Jeannine Larocque ministering at Ravine’s Women Centre in Oxley. Sr. Bernice’s last five years were devoted to Associates, to several provincial committees and as coordinator of the Windsor Mission Centre of the U.S. Ontario Province.
In 2014, Sr. Bernice, with the help of the 150th Anniversary Committee, organized two public celebrations to commemorate the arrival of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Windsor, Amherstburg, Detroit, Chicago, etc. Sister Bernice Gignac will be sadly missed by her dear sister Cathy Beaune (Robin) Essex; four brothers Bob (Mary) LaSalle, Len (Pam) Grand Ledge, MI, Joe (Jane) Tecumseh and Ray (Diane) LaSalle; eleven nieces and nephews; and 15 great-nieces and nephews. Lovingly remembered by all her SNJM Sisters and Associates.