La Voie des Pionniers - Personnages - Bureau-Genest - Table culturelle de la MRC de Coaticook

The Pioneer Trail at Compton Marie-Ange Vaillancourt-Genest and Estelle Bureau

MARIE-ANGE VAILLANCOURT-GENEST
1901-1997

ESTELLE BUREAU
1922-2007

Although most women of their generation led relatively discreet lives away from the public eye, Mesdames Geneste and Bureau were an exception. Both women played an important part in the economic and community development of Compton and the surrounding area. Their lives attest to nearly a century of history and local involvement in a village settled by numerous families from Beauce and Dorchester. Mrs. Genest helped found the Compton credit union (Caisse populaire) with her husband and managed it for 27 years, in addition to being an organist at St-Thomas d’Aquin Church for 30 years. Estelle Bureau, for her part, was known for her contagious laughter and left her mark as a community nurse, school commissioner, and board member of numerous organizations including the credit union and the farmer’s coop.

GPS : 45.241440 N, -71.828792 O
ADDRESS : Lions Park, 25 Hatley Road

The voices of yesteryear at the heart of our landscapes

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Meet Mesdames Genest and Bureau at the Lions Park in Compton, at 25 Chemin de Hatley. Up until the 1970s, this beautiful wooded area was the site of a house and a few farm buildings. The Lions Club one day had the great idea to buy the property and turn it into a park open to the general public. Thanks to the initiative and efforts of Hertel and Claire Gagnon, as well as numerous volunteers, trees were planted and new infrastructures were gradually built. As you stroll through the park, you may run into elders who can elaborate on the stories told by our two pioneers. Extend your walk on Chemin de Hatley by visiting the Catholic cemetery, which contains an installation honouring a famous pioneer from Compton, former Prime Minister Louis-S. St-Laurent. Take the time to walk around the heritage circuit and read the information panels, which have fascinating stories to tell. You can also walk to the Lieu historique Louis-S.-St-Laurent and take the guided tour. Be sure to stop to enjoy a meal or pick up delicious regional products in the village’s businesses!

The site containing the two pioneers is a stone’s throw from the Townships Trail which crosses the village of Compton along Route 147. A perfect spot for a picnic!