Conversations About Ministries

Sister Lucille Tremblay

Orphaned at the age of 15 months, Sister Lucille Tremblay was raised by the Sisters of Providence in Valley Field, Canada ? so it was only natural that she would join the order as a young woman.

She didn?t want to be a nurse or a teacher, but happily settled in as a dietitian and spent long periods of time in that role at St. Mary?s Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington; Providence Hospital, in Seattle and New Providence Hospital, in Medford, Oregon.

Now semi-retired, Sister Lucille lives at the St. Joseph Residence in Seattle and sews for the poor and helps other sisters when needed.

How did you get interested in Sisters of Providence?

I was raised in a boarding school by the Sisters of Providence. My mother died when I was only 15 months old. There were three of us and we were all placed. I did my studies with the Sisters of Providence and did three years of sewing for orphan girls, so I got my vocation there. I entered in 1939. I was almost 22 years old.

When did you arrive in Seattle?

I made my novitiate in Montreal and my profession in November of 1941. I was sent to Seattle. We arrived December 7th, on Pearl Harbor Day. It?s one day I will never forget.

What were some of the things you did when you arrived?

My first job during the war was to black out the windows at Providence Hospital. They couldn?t do surgery without lights so we had to black out the windows. Then I learned English and did the cooking for the sisters. I took classes at Seattle University and took courses in dietetics.

How did you become interested in dietetics?

Since I did not want to be a teacher and had no attraction for nursing, I was asked, ?How about dietetics?? I answered, "I do not know anything about it." But when told it has something to do with food, I told them, "I?ll take it." I never regretted my choice. I did my internship in St. Louis, Missouri.

On my return to Seattle, I was named as a dietitian to St. Mary?s Hospital, Walla Walla, after which I was transferred to Providence Hospital, Seattle, as a head dietitian. After six years, I was named to Sacred Heart Hospital, Medford, Oregon. I was the dietitian there for more than 20 years and finished my 25 years as a microfilm technician.

Did you do other types of ministries?

Just that. It was a full-time job. I visited patients and instructed them on their diets. I also worked five years as a microfilm technician, but I didn?t like it. I?m a people person and I had to work in the dark for about seven hours a day.

Did you ever go back to Montreal?

Before, we could only go every 20 years, but with my class, we went every ten years. Soon, we could go every five years. Now we can go every year.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a sister?

I love people and I met a lot of great women in our community. They taught you a lot. They were there for us when we needed them, and especially with us who did not know English. It was a good experience for me to be in another country, everything was so new. I never cooked a potato in my life and I had to cook for 12 people.

What has been your motivation?

I like the poor and love to work for the poor. That?s why I do sewing for the poor children. To me, I get satisfaction when I?m doing something useful. It?s a needed job; I can do it and it?s easy for me.

How have you seen Providence in your life?

Providence has always been with me. Even with my mother dying, why was I sent to the Sisters of Providence? You could see the hand of Providence with me always. I was sent to this country and you could see Providence there. I have great confidence in Providence. God took care of me when I was younger and He will take care of me until I die.

I am grateful to God, and to my community. My heart prompts me to say, "Lord, who are we that you care for us, that you keep us in mind?" Smiling is my charism. I love and live life to the fullest.

Do you have any hobbies?

I collect butterfly things. I love butterflies. I started when I was in boarding school and couldn?t go out. My parents were both dead, so I had no place to go, but the other girls went away for summer vacation. So I would sit on the grass and watch the butterflies. I thought they were so free, and I wanted to be like them and roam around.

At the time I never knew the butterflies meant the resurrection. I just thought they were beautiful.