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Marie-Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais was born in Varennes, Quebec on October 15, 1701. She was the daughter of Christophe, who died in her youth and Renée Gauthier de Verennes ( the sister of the famous explorer, Laverendrye). She studied under the Ursulines. On August 12th 1722, she married Francois d'Youville. They had six children together, four of whom died in childhood. The two surviving boys ultimately became priests. She became a widow in 1730. An indifferent, adulterous husband, Francois left her with a heavy financial burden. Marguerite worked hard to support her famiy and devoted time to the Confraternity of the Holy Family in charitable works. On December 31st 1731, she founded the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Montreal (known as the Grey Nuns). In 1747, she was appointed Directress of the General Hospital which was now run by her congregation. She died in Montreal on December 23rd 1771. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on December 9th 1990.