Lest We Forget
Sister Loretta Gallant, CSJP (1910-2009)
Sister Loretta Gallant (Sister Edward), a deeply joyful, peace-filled and prayerful woman, died peacefully on March 9, 2009 at St. Mary-on-the-Lake.
Loretta was born on May 23, 1910 in St. Charles, Prince Edward Island, Canada to Peter and Rosiland Gallant. She was the oldest of four children and attended a one room country school. When she was 18 she met Fr. Gallant and his cousin Clara Pineau who lived nearby. In 1927, she made the long trip to the Bellingham novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace with her friend, Clara Pineau (Sister Edgar, CSJP) and Fr. Gallant.
Loretta spent almost 55 years of dedicated homemaking service at St. Therese Convent, Seattle, St. Anthony’s Convent, Trail, B.C., St. Joseph’s Academy and the Bishop’s Residence in Nelson, B.C. and St. Joseph’s Hospital, Bellingham. She brightened the lives of the postulants and novices with her delicious cooking and warm laughter during her years at St. Mary’s Novitiate in Bellingham from 1957 to 1966. Loretta served as Executive Housekeeper at St. Mary-on-the-Lake (Province Center of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) in Bellevue from 1967 until her retirement there in 1985. Setting a beautiful table, preparing for CSJP community events and celebrations was a highlight for Loretta. Her Sisters in community and co-workers remember Loretta’s selfless and joyful spirit as she shared her gifts with creativity and generosity.
In her retirement years, she developed her artistic talents of painting, knitting, crocheting and needlepoint. At our yearly Assemblies, Loretta would knit a beautiful afghan and hold a very lucrative raffle to benefit a worthy cause. Along with the other retired Sisters at St. Mary’s, she spent many hours in prayer for the needs of the world and for the numerous prayer requests on our chapel bulletin board.
At her 75th Jubilee Loretta said, “I am thankful that God has kept me well so I can celebrate. It’s been an interesting, wonderful and happy life.”
Her life will be celebrated with a rosary at 7:00 PM on Friday, March 13th and funeral Mass at 9 AM on Saturday, March 14th at St. Mary-on-the-Lake, 1663 Killarney Way, Bellevue, Washington.
Remembrances can be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace.