14

Religious family
1933
Tracadie, NB, Canada

15

Three of her sisters became nuns, three became teachers and one became a nurse. One of her brothers became a priest and her other two brothers became contractors.

16

First Communion
1911
Burnsville, NB, Canada

17

Like any other child, Édith had her first Communion when she was seven, with her brother Joseph.

18

Second house
1930
Burnsville, NB, Canada

19

She learned the expression "make a living" very early on. Édith had very specific duties at a very young age. When she was only nine, she was already baking bread, churning butter, sewing, knitting and most importantly, taking care of her siblings.

20

Adéline and Christina
1930
Burnsville, NB, Canada

21

Subsequently, she worked as a servant for a local merchant, Nicolas Thériault. She helped his wife recover after her pregnancies. She was unknowingly preparing herself for her future role as a midwife.

22

Victoire and Kathleen
1930
Burnsville, NB, Canada

23

Édith dreamed of a promising future and a well-paying and honourable career. She did not want to be a servant for the rest of her life. She saw a glimmer of hope: she could go to the convent. However, her sister Kathleen decided to go, and her parents could not afford to send them both, so Édith gave up on the idea of getting an education.

24

Inside the camp
1916
Bathurst (region), NB, Canada

25

At the age of 12, Édith became a cook at her brother Richard's lumberjack camp. Her mother had lectured her, saying "Édith, if you don't pester it, an animal won't bite you." She was respected. The lumberjacks taught her that it took courage and pride to earn a living. She remained there for three years.

26

Outside the camp
1916
Bathurst (region), NB, Canada

27

She believed that someday, something would happen. She never gave up on the idea of getting an education and having a career. Her mother, a teacher, sent her homework. While working as a cook, she studied history, grammar, French, English and math.