(1606-1673)

First secular nurse of North America, co-founder of the little mission-colony at Montreal and founder of its Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Jeanne was called the “Angel of the Colony” by the people she served. Under her able administration the hospital flourished and the colony grew from 40 original settlers to 1500, often in spite of overwhelming odds. More than once her courage and her talent for obtaining money, support and volunteers saved the colony from financial ruin or destruction in Iroquois raids. Beloved during her lifetime, her legend as heroine has grown with the years. The Hôtel-Dieu continues as one of Montreal’s great hospitals.