Press Release
Tuesday, June 07, 2022
The Université de Moncton is Saddened by the Passing of Florine Després
Photo taken at the dedication ceremony that honoured three of its pioneers in the field of education by naming the theatres in the Faculty of Education on the Moncton campus. The music education theatre has been named Florine-Després Theatre since 2011. From left to right: Florine-Després, Sr. Berthe Boudreau and Yvan Albert.
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It is with great sadness that the university community has learned of the death of Florine Després, a renowned choral singer in Acadie.
A native of Cocagne and a seasoned musician, Després inspired hundreds of students. She first taught music at Saint-Joseph’s Convent and in Grand Falls. Her studies allowed her to continue her career at Collège Notre-Dame-d'Acadie where, under the name of Sister Lucienne, she founded the NDA School of Music with a fellow nun. Director of the school for several years, she worked there from 1949 to 1965 as a piano teacher and choir director. Under her direction, the choir won the Lincoln Trophy, the hallmark of Canadian choral excellence, five times. She also prepared songbooks for New Brunswick public school students.
Respected, admired and recognized, Després was, from 1968 until her retirement in 1982, a professor of elementary and secondary teaching methodology at the Université de Moncton, playing a leading role in the training of francophone teachers in the Maritime provinces in music education. Després's commitment was exemplary and extended far beyond the classroom.
In 1981, the Université de Moncton awarded her an honorary doctorate in music and in 1984, she received an honorary doctorate from Mount Allison University. Then, in 1990, the French Minister of Culture elevated her to the rank of Chevalier in the French Order of the Arts and Letters. This award pays tribute to personalities who have distinguished themselves in the artistic and literary fields and highlights their contribution to the promotion of the French language and culture.
To the university community, parents, friends and the entire religious community, our deepest sympathies.
Flags on all three campuses will be flown at half-staff on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
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