Born in 1951 in Burnsville, N.B., into an Anglo-Acadian family of 17 children. Despite many challenges, the parents of this large family prioritized reading, curiosity and access to education. Participating in the Marichette Foundation’s mission was therefore an easy and natural choice.

After completing her schooling in Paquetville and Caraquet, Hélène obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Collège de Bathurst in 1974. Recipient of a France-Acadie scholarship, Hélène studied for three years at the École de journalisme in Strasbourg, France.

Returning home in 1977, she pursued her passion for journalism with a position at Radio-Canada Atlantique in Moncton, a career that lasted over thirty years. In 1988, she received the Marcel-Blouin Award for Best Public Affairs Report for her reporting on AIDS. Retired since 2014, Hélène is the mother of two children.