Marguerite Maillet o.c., also known as Sr. Léo-Marie ndsc (1943-1968), passed away peacefully on Thursday March 27, 2025 at Pavillon Cormier of Faubourg du Mascaret in Moncton where she was residing since 2018. Born on March 17, 1924 in St-Norbert de Kent, in New-Brunswick, she was the daughter of Placide and Vitaline (Bastarache) Maillet.
She is survived by one sister, Laura Goguen (late Valmont), as well as many nephews, nieces and friends.
She was predeceased by her father (1958), her mother (1985), three sisters: Corinne (1995), Élisa (2018) and Dorilla (2022), eight brothers: Antoine (1997), Hector (1982), Néri (1976), Éric (1995), Élias (1987), Cécime (2012), Léo (2006), and Arcade (2018).
Marguerite Maillet taught Acadian literature at the Université de Moncton for many years. Her publications include Histoire de la littérature acadienne, de rêve en rêve in 1983 and Anthologie de textes littéraires acadiens 1606-1975 in 1979 (collaboration). After her retirement in 1990, she published Bibliographie des publications des provinces Maritimes de 1609 à 1995; and in 1996, she co-founded Bouton d'or Acadie, a publishing house for children's literature, with which she authored 12 traditional tales collected in Acadia, a Mi'kmaq legend and the poetic story De la tourmente au doux vent. In 2016, she saved her native village church from demolition by transforming it into the MAISON ÉTOILE DES ENFANTS inc. Marguerite Maillet has lectured on Acadian literature in Europe, the United States and Canada. She has met with children and young people throughout Acadie, Canada, Louisiana and Haiti, introducing them to books and helping them develop a taste for reading. Her contribution to the advancement and development of the Acadian community, her commitment to youth and the French language, and her promotion of Acadian literature regionally, nationally and internationally have been recognized with numerous awards and decorations.
The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, 88 Church Street, Moncton (506-858-1900) from where the funeral service will be celebrated on Tuesday April 8 at 11 am. Visiting hours are Monday April 7 from 6 to 8 pm only. Interment will be in Saint-Norbert. In memory of Marguerite, a contribution to the Saint-Norbert cemetery would be appreciated.
Words of comfort and donations may be made at www.frenettefuneralhome.com