GAUTHIER, Sister Leah (Sister M. Ida)

April 14, 1929 – December 30, 2022

“O Friend, be not far from me; O Beloved, come and enfold me in your presence!”
(Psalm 71:12)

Sister Leah Gauthier (Sister M. Ida) transitioned into God’s heart for eternity on December 30, 2022.

Sister Leah was born at home in Powassan, Ontario to Leon Joseph and Amanda (Lebrun) Gauthier (both predeceased). She was predeceased by her brothers, Palema (Ilda predeceased); Homer (Michelle); Paul (Theresa); Roland (Shirley, predeceased) and sisters Lena Aultman (Stephen, predeceased); Ida; Eileen Delorme (Bill, predeceased); Jean Charland (Roland, predeceased). Leah is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Family was very important to Leah.  She described her parents as hard working, fantastic, providing the ‘best’ for their nine children.

Sister Leah entered The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie on July 2, 1946 from St. Joseph’s Church, Powassan, Ont. Following completion of her music associate degree in 1968, Sister Leah served in music ministry, teaching piano and harmony, in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Ontario 1960 – 1998, where she is remembered fondly for her piano pedagogy skills. In Nassau, Bahamas from 1998 – 2007, she served in retreat and hospital visitation ministry.  Her special focus was on the needs of the most disadvantaged.

Leah was provided the opportunity in 2007 to make a pilgrimage to her Congregational Roots – the Sisters of St. Joseph origins in LePuy, France in 2007, and to the Holy Land where she visited numerous sites commemorating the life and death of Jesus. 

Leah loved the outdoors and celebrated God’s creation ‘gifts’ in all of its grandeur, especially the Motherhouse grounds, beautiful Lake Nipissing, and her friends the chipmunks.


Sister Leah will be received ‘home’ to the Motherhouse, on Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 2 pm in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Prayers and a wake service will be offered at 4 pm. Liturgy of the resurrection will take place on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 11 am in the Sacred Heart Chapel.

Please note: Visitors to the Motherhouse are required to be fully vaccinated and must wear a mask.  Rapid Antigen Tests are required upon entry.  Please call 705-474-3800 for further details.

Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca

Expressions of sympathy via donations to the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Leah may be made at www.csjssm.ca.

Sister Leah, Rest in Peace.