#ShesAHound - Words from the oldest #SheHound 1942-1946

Dusty (Mary Ramona) DeRoose (Scott)
I was born in 1925 at my parents’ Saskatchewan farm. Oscar and Camilla DeRoose had six children – I landed in the middle. I loved the convent life and learning. I lived with the Sisters of Charity St. Louis all my years of schooling.  My passion for learning and love of teaching was evident very early.
  
I attended the Radville convent Grades 1-11, only going home to the farm in summers. The Sisters always encouraged and supported me. I did my Grade 12 and Bachelor of Arts degree at Notre Dame, again with Sisters of Charity St. Louis who initiated what would become Notre Dame College under the leadership of Father Athol Murray (affectionately called Pere). When I graduated in 1946, it was with a very heavy heart that I left.

From those years of education with the Sisters (especially Sister Edith) and Pere, I enjoyed over 60 years of work as a teacher both at private and public levels, first in Saskatchewan, then in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia. 

During the ’40s, it was wartime and difficult times for farmers. There was a food shortage. Dad provided Notre Dame and the convent with as much meat, butter and vegetables from the farm as he could. Many of the teachers and men had gone overseas. Sister Edith, school principal at Notre Dame, asked if I would teach Grade 11 History to help out. I eagerly accepted and my own classes were worked around that schedule. 

When I began the first year of University, Pere asked me to teach French20 – I was already fluent from early school years in a convent. I studied mostly philosophy, history and languages: French, German, English and Latin. A classmate, “Sharkie” (Norman Chartrand), and I were the only two who took Latin and French through to BA graduation requirements.

Pere was passionate about helping Hounds be successful in education, sports and life. He was an effective influencer and able to gain a great deal of financial and material support for Notre Dame. He was a powerful speaker in great demand, especially in Regina, which I experienced first-hand. On the days that Pere had to travel to speak or attend meetings, Sharkie drove the truck with Pere and me in it. Pere always wanted me with him primarily because of my linguistic abilities (fluent in French, Belgian, and English). It seemed he wanted to “show off” the standards and quality of education offered at Notre Dame. And I was his instrument! 

Sharkie and I had many of our classes at the Saskatchewan Hotel in Regina. We also enjoyed being able to go to a movie afterwards. Pere was on the Board of Famous Players Theatres so all Hounds got free passes (this is just one small influence among hundreds that I witnessed to benefit his beloved Hounds and the larger community). 

How did I get the nickname “Dusty”? Many have asked me that question. Here is the story. One Christmas, I attended a dance in Weyburn with my brother Oliver. A boy named Dusty Harris asked me to dance. I guess he liked me. Later, he came to Notre Dame to look for me. I think we danced one more time at an event, followed by numerous letters from him. One of the girls opened a letter and the news was out that “I had a boyfriend”. The teasing started and I became known as Dusty. I never saw the boy again but even Pere and Sister Edith called me Dusty from then on. Pere even replaced my name, Mary, on my report card with Dusty. I have been called Dusty by everyone ever since!

In this exciting Centenary year, we are Celebrating Women of Notre Dame past and future. I would be remiss if I did not tell a story of the power of Sister Edith. Truthfully, Pere was scared of her. She was very strict and disciplined. 

One day, we students were waiting for Pere to lead the Stations of the Cross in the chapel. He was very late. Finally, he arrived, having had too much of the bottle, so to speak. He rambled through the Stations with much embellishment of philosophy, theology, history. When we finished we streamed out of the chapel and saw Sister Edith hiding behind the door waiting for Pere so she could admonish him for embarrassing us. Pere deked out to hide in the bushes, knowing what was in store for him. This gave us a good laugh. 

Pere always told us, “You do what Mother Edith tells you to do”.  Pere of course was also strong-willed but had less stringent ways that made him the charismatic and dramatic motivator that he was. However, after Sister Edith’s lashing, he always appeared humble and contrite!!

I loved my life at Notre Dame. So many extraordinary experiences that shaped me and gave me insights into human psychology, communication, and pure grit to overcome obstacles I faced throughout my life. “Luctor et Emergo” Struggle and Emerge!


Footnote from eldest daughter:  Mom has told me she was treated with great respect, trust and encouragement by Pere and the Sisters. Notre Dame produced in Hounds determination, excellence, dedication, and equality of persons. These gifts created the character she is. Added to her Flemish work ethic, her life at Notre Dame is probably the main contributing factor to her longevity and status as the oldest living SheHound.

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Athol Murray College of Notre Dame ·

P.O. Box 100 Wilcox · SK, Canada S0G 5E0
Phone: 306-732-2080 · Fax: 306-732-4408 (Confidential) · Email: info@notredame.ca