Daughter of Rolland Dicaire and Aline Lamoureux, Sister Raymonde was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on February 15, 1939. She made her first profession in North Haledon, New Jersey, on August 5, 1969, and her perpetual profession in Newton on August 5, 1974. She passed away in Montreal on March 21, 2026.
After completing her secondary studies, she initially began training to become a nurse. However, her experience during an internship caring for sick children proved too difficult for her compassionate heart to bear. She then pursued studies in accounting and began working in a bank. It was during this time that her vocation began to take shape. One morning, her mother informed her that Salesian Sisters had arrived in their parish. A woman of deep faith and generosity, her mother quickly befriended the Sisters and offered both her own help and that of her daughter, Raymonde.
Through this encounter, Raymonde met Sister Candide Asselin, who one day asked her a simple yet profound question: “Raymonde, what do you want to do with your life?” After a period of reflection, she went to Pointe-Verte, New Brunswick, to discern her vocation with the Salesian Sisters. In 1967, she left for the United States to begin her novitiate.
Following her first profession in 1969, she returned to Pointe-Verte, where she immediately immersed herself in both study and teaching. A true daughter of Don Bosco, she went beyond the classroom, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to young people. She cared for the Youth Centre and led scout groups during evenings and weekends. Those who knew her during this time still remember her energy, courage, and joyful presence.
In 1977, a devastating fire destroyed the Salesian Sisters’ home in Pointe-Verte, forcing the community to relocate. Sister Raymonde was then missioned to several communities in the United States, including New Jersey, Florida, and Louisiana. It was not until 1990 that she returned to Montreal.
Entrusted with ministry to teenagers, she dreamed of creating a place where young people could grow, spend their free time meaningfully, and be guided in both their human and Christian formation. With great trust in St. Joseph, her dream became a reality through the support of a generous benefactor, Mrs. Jean Coutu. In 1990, she founded the youth center L’Ancre Don Bosco.
Her vision continued to expand. Desiring to offer underprivileged youth the experience of time in nature, she dreamed of a country house for camps and retreats. In 1998, with the support of the Marcelle & Jean Coutu Foundation, this dream also came to life in the creation of “Tiberias MJ,” a peaceful setting by Otter Lake, named both for the biblical presence of Jesus on the shores of Tiberias and in gratitude to the foundation that made it possible.
Sister Raymonde was a woman of vision, courage, and dynamism. She had a remarkable ability to inspire others and to draw the community into her mission and dreams. Thank you, Sister Raymonde, for your great love of the Salesian Charism and your fidelity in living 58 years of religious life. May you rest in peace.