The great Acadian actress, Viola Léger, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the age of 92. Daughter of André Léger, native of Barachois NB, and Nathalie LeBlanc of Haute Aboujagane NB, she is mourned by her three sisters, Doris Léger of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Sr. Agnes Léger NDSC of Moncton NB, and Lilianne Léger-Maples of Saint-Thomas-de-Kent NB, and by her sister-in-law, Sumlee Léger of Austin, Texas, as well as by several nephews and nieces, grand-nephews, and grand-nieces.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Fr. Laurie Léger, MS, of Fitchburg, Mass, Eugene Léger of Austin, Texas, and by her sister, Sr. Irène Léger, NDSC of Moncton NB.
Viola Léger always expressed the importance and love she had for her family. She had a joie de vivre that she passed on to everyone around her. She had an exceptional work ethic and was a very loyal friend. Many will remember her phone calls every year to sing them Happy Birthday. A positive woman, she loved the beauty of nature. Resilient and very generous, she dedicated her life to the pursuit of excellence in her commitment - in the theater, in the classroom, in the Congregation NDSC, during her years in the Senate, and with her family, friends and co-workers.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the excellent care Viola received while a resident at the Résidence/Foyer Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur.
**********
Born on June 29, 1930, Viola Léger was best known as an actress who made famous the character of La Sagouine, a play by Acadian author Antonine Maillet. She played this a role more than 3,000 times, garnering numerous rave reviews for her authentic and poignant interpretation.
Ms. Léger served in the Senate of Canada from 2001 to 2006 where she particularly emphasized the importance of artists in our society. Also, with a keen interest in the plight of minorities, she was a member of Senate committees for Aboriginal Peoples, and Official Languages and Social Affairs. She has been a fervent ambassador of Acadian culture, both in Canada and abroad.
After her initial studies in Acadie, Ms. Léger was able to realize her first passion: teaching. For 15 years, she taught literature and drama in high school, first at the Collège Notre-Dame-d’Acadie, then in Grand Falls, Moncton and Shediac. She obtained a master’s degree in Theatre Education from Boston University and trained in Paris with the renowned theater artist Jacques Lecoq. Her love for theater started during her time as a member of the Congregation Les Religieuses Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur. She has always been extremely grateful to the Congregation, who promoted her pursuit of higher education.
Throughout her acting career, she has performed over 30 roles for theatre, film, and television.
In 1985, she founded her own theater company, the Compagnie Viola Léger, which she directed until 2008. In 1999, she created the Viola-Léger Foundation to encourage theatrical production and professional training in Acadie, mainly by granting scholarships to professional actors at the beginning of their careers. Ms. Léger cherished this Foundation, calling it a cornerstone in the development of new careers and consequently in the evolution of theater in Acadie.
Viola Léger was the recipient of numerous awards including the Order of Canada, the New Brunswick Excellence in the Arts Award, the Order of New Brunswick, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la France, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2013, the Prix Eloizes Hommage from the Association acadienne des artistes professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick, and four honorary doctorates. In 2019, a school was named in her honour: the École élémentaire Viola-Léger, in Bowmanville, Ontario.
Funeral mass for Ms. Léger will be held at the Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption, 226 St. George Street, in Moncton, on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. The funeral mass for Ms. Léger will be streamed live throughout Canada on RDI television and on Ici Télé Acadie for the Atlantic region. The family will receive condolences at the Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre at 88 Church Street in Moncton on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm only. Interment will take place later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, in memory of Viola Léger, a donation to the Viola-Léger Foundation (www.fondationviolaleger.ca), or to a charity of your choice, would be appreciated.
Messages of condolence and donations can be made to www.frenettefuneralhome.com.