The New International Encyclopædia/Mance, Jeanne

MANCE,, (1606-73). A French philanthropist, born at Nogent-le-Roi. Her religious feeling was intense and she early vowed perpetual chastity, though she felt no inclination to become a nun. Influenced by the story of Madame de la Peltrie, she blindly determined to go to Canada and in 1641 went to La Rochelle to embark. While there she met Dauversière, who was founding a religious community to maintain a hospital at Montreal in honor of Saint Joseph, and determined to go with Maisonneuve (q.v.) and his men. Three other women at the last moment joined the expedition, which spent the first winter at Quebec, going to Montreal in 1642. The hospital was built with funds furnished by Madame de Bullion, and Mlle. Mance was in charge. She became second only to Maisonneuve in importance to the colony, as many executive details fell to her, in addition to her care of the sick and her work for the conversion of the Indians. She made several trips to France to secure aid in the work and stimulate the flagging zeal of the Associates of Montreal. She was also influential in bringing about the cession of the island to the Sulpitians, when the Associates were about to disband in 1657 (though the cession did not take effect for several years), and served as head of the Sisters of Saint Joseph until her death. Consult Faillon, Vie de Mlle. Mance et histoire de l'Hôtel Dieu de Villemarie dans l'île de Montreal en Canada (Villemarie, 1854).