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Jeanne Le Ber

Jeanne Le Ber (4 January 1662 – 3 October 1714) was a recluse in New France.

For the federal electoral district, see Jeanne-Le Ber.

Jeanne Le Ber

(1662-01-04)4 January 1662
Montreal, New France

3 October 1714(1714-10-03) (aged 52)
Montreal, New France

Family and education[edit]

Jeanne Le Ber was born in Ville-Marie (Montreal), on January 4, 1662. As a daughter of Jeanne Le Moyne and Jacques Le Ber, Jeanne was raised within a wealthy and influential family; her mother was a sister of Charles Le Moyne. Jeanne Le Ber was baptized the day she was born by Gabriel Souart, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve being her godfather and Jeanne Mance her godmother.[1]


She took an early interest in the spiritual life of the community and was a frequent visitor with her godmother, Jeanne Mance at the Hôtel-Dieu. She also had a friendship with Marguerite Bourgeoys, the foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame, who influenced her spiritual life. To complete the formal education she spent three years, 1674 to 1677, as a boarder with the Ursulines of Quebec where her aunt, Marie Le Ber de l’Annonciation, taught. At the age of 15, she returned to her family in Montreal.[1]


As the only daughter (she had three younger brothers) of Jacques Le Ber, with a dowry of approximately 50,000 écus, she was rightly considered the most eligible girl in New France.[1]

Legacy[edit]

The Recluse Sisters were founded in 1943, in Alberta. Their inspiration is Jeanne Le Ber.[2] In 2004, the Jeanne-Le Ber federal electoral district was named for Jeanne Le Ber.