Sister Marion Porier, 1924-2001

Sister Marion Poirier was born on Oct. 4, 1924 and passed away on Sept. 26, 2001 at the age of 76 years.

Sister Poirier was born in the village of Hosmer, B.C. She was the fourth of seven children born to Hercule Joseph and Anne Poirier.

She entered the Sisters of Providence in Seattle, Washington in 1943 with the ambition of becoming a nurse, but God had other plans. A few weeks after graduating from high school in Calgary in 1943, Marion found herself in Seattle, to enter the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence.

"I spent many lonely days during the two years of novitiate," she says. "My main ambition after profession was to become a nurse. When I left the novitiate, I was named for St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, to begin my nurses training in January, but God had other plans. Two months later I was called to Midnapore to help Sister Mary Damien supervise the girls.

"I enjoyed being with the children but it did come as a surprise when a few months later I was informed that I was to send my application to attend Normal School," she says.

Sister Poirier taught in Whitehorse, Joussard and High Prairie. Her last active mission, High Prairie, was home for her from 1972-90.

"I doubted my ability to become a teacher, but God gifted me and I enjoyed 40 years teaching His children in McLennan, Whitehorse, Joussard and High Prairie," says Sister Poirier. "I especially enjoyed my last 13 years of teaching at St. Andrew's school in High Prairie. This is where I enjoyed assisting coaching the students in hockey, basketball, volleyball and fastball. I had no problems with my students for they knew that if they did not keep up with their school work they did not participate in any sports events."

Recalling her love of sport Sister Poirier remembers playing ball at home with her brothers and sisters. In the winter it was hockey on a frozen creek with a branch for a stick and a tennis ball for a puck. She was always the goaltender.

Sister Poirier recognized early that some students, more than others, needed physical activity mixed with reading, writing and arithmetic.

"It began in Joussard where the only sport facilities were a baseball diamond and an outdoor skating rink. In the spring, I organized a house league with the help of the teachers since I was the principal. It was practical to begin with baseball. We divided grades 4-8 into six groups representing the six continents. Each group chose a continent and their work was to prepare and present a report on their respective continent...we we having fun as well as learning."

Later, when she was transferred to St. Andrew's school in High Prairie in 1974, she continued to work with young people and parents in sports.

"As I look back on the 17 years and reflect on what I did for the young people, I believe that it was all in the hands of the Lord. I felt that my religious life benefited. I reminded the boys to attend mass on Saturday night or Sunday morning. At a basketball or volleyball game, we always recited a prayer before beginning to play, not necessarily to win, but that no one would get hurt and that they would be good sports. Boys and girls all got my help."

A clipping in her file says: "Kids and sports are what Sister Marion Poirier is known for in High Prairie. The philosophy of helping out kids underscored Sister Poirier's community involvement over the years. She is especially renowned for her involvement in minor hockey and baseball, which involves both kids and parents. She also coached school basketball and volleyball, was a Cub Scout Leader, and volunteered her services at the Peace Winter Games and the University Games in Edmonton."

Sister Poirier brought joy and delight to those around her with her gentle humour, her delightful smile and love of life itself. She particularly enjoyed children and youth and found that teaching was a way to create happy memories. Although she retired from the classroom in 1989 due to ill health, Sister Poirier found herself lending a hand - and a smile - as a tutor, at the switchboard of Providence Centre, and many other hidden places.

After a stroke in 1994 Sister Poirier moved to the Infirmary at Providence Centre where her ministry became one of presence and prayer.

Through her life, Sister Poirier was known for her devotion to Venerable Emilie Gamelin and prayed to her often for counsel, compassion and a love of the poor. She wanted to love the poor as they were - this she did so very well.