Marie-Aurore-Lucienne Gagnon was the second child of farmer Télesphore Gagnon and his first wife, Marie-Anne Evelyn Caron. Those who knew the girl called her Aurore. Aurore was born May 31, 1909, in Sainte-Philomène-de-Fortierville, Quebec, Canada. Her sister, Marie-Jeanne, was just a year older. Télesphore made his living as a logger, farmer, and blacksmith.

A new baby arrived every few years in the Gagnon home. After Aurore’s arrival, three children followed; little Marie-Lucina in 1910, Georges-Étienne in 1911, and Joseph-Télesphore in 1915.

For a moment, life was almost idyllic for the family. The cemeteries were full of babies who succumbed to various diseases, and people had little or no access to health care. But the Gagnon children were healthy and robust. Télesphore and Marie-Anne had every reason to place all of their hope and happiness on their lively children.
Shortly after baby Joseph’s birth, Marie-Anne Caron developed a terrible cough. Eventually, a doctor told Télesphore that his young wife had tuberculosis and would not survive. She needed a level of care that only a hospital could provide, so Marie-Anne Caron reluctantly left her children for Beauport Asylum in Quebec City.

In addition to his wife’s illness, Télesphore lost a close family member. On January 20, 1915, Télesphore’s cousin, Napoleon Gagnon, died suddenly. Napoleon left behind a widow named Marie-Anne Houde and two children, Gerard, Aurore’s age, and Georges, born in 1912. Napoleon and his wife previously buried two infant daughters. His death left Marie-Anne Houde alone with two young sons.

After Marie-Anne Houde moved in, a series of tragedies befell the family. First, two-year-old Joseph smothered in his sleep beneath a mattress. The coroner ruled his death accidental. Next, Five-year-old Lucina — who lived with her grandparents — also died. Sadly, Marie-Anne Caron lost her battle with tuberculosis on January 23, 1918. She was only 32. The death of her siblings and mother was only the start of Aurore’s suffering.

Télesphore and Marie-Anne Houde wasted no time. They married on February 1, just over one week after his first wife’s death. The people of Fortierville thought the hasty marriage was in poor taste. However, it was no crime, and Télesphore did need help with the children since he worked well into the evening. Still, the union caused neighbors to pay closer attention to the Gagnon household. The attention was by no measure enough to save Aurore’s life.

she died on the 12th of February 1920.
she was only ten years of age...

fly high angel you'll never be forgotten....

свернуть