Sister Jeannine BABIN 1935-2020
Jeannine Babin (Marie Lea of Jesus), passed away on December 25th 2020 in Monarch Hall, Riverview, N.B.
Born in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, on July 27th 1935, Jeannine was the only daughter and had only one brother. At the age of 17, she entered the novitiate in Trois-Rivières and became a Fille de Jésus in 1956.
Jeannine began her apostolic religious life by teaching music until 1964. Then, after attending Teacher’s College, she devoted herself to elementary school education for nearly twenty-five years first at Nash Creek, then at Lorne, Fredericton and Wedgeport.
She then taught catechesis at parish level for a few years, and in 1995 she went on mission to the West Indies where she did missionary work in Jamaica for a year before going to teach at the novitiate in Dominica.
On her return from the South, Jeannine was welcomed into the community of Dalhousie, and she was happy to work as auditor at the Marriage Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Diocese of Bathurst, a work she accomplished with love, compassion and competence.
Following a surgical operation, she prolonged her convalescence at the Moncton Vice-Provincial House where she rendered invaluable services to the liturgical animation team. In 2009, she was happy to become part of the community of Grande Anse and offered her services as a musician to the surrounding parishes that needed help. However, given her health condition, she moved permanently to Riverview the following spring.
Jeannine was a delicate, sensitive, friendly and generous woman. She often surprised us by her spontaneous answers and her keen and often unexpected repartees. While devoting herself to her various apostolic activities, she remained a great musician and was always happy to put her artistic talents in the service of others. She loved singing, concerts, nature, flowers, friendly gatherings and enjoyed the beautiful aspects of life.
However, in 2012, Jeannine’s health condition began to deteriorate and she was eventually admitted at Canterbury Hall residence and transferred then to the nursing home in Monarch Hall where she could receive the care she needed. However distressful this situation became as the days went by, she lived it with courage and generosity.
On Christmas day, December 25 2020, she left us with serenity, trusting in the loving Lord who had called her and whom she had loved and served with heartfelt devotion. She was 85 years old and in her 64 year of religious life. May God now fill her with His peace, joy and love!
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