Saint-Jérôme Honors 9 Women with Street & Park Names | 2026

The city of Saint-Jérôme has been actively recognizing the contributions of women to local and Quebec history since 2019. Through its toponymy committee, the city has honored nine exceptional women by naming streets, parks, and public spaces after them.

Located in an area where streets are named after Quebec painters, this street pays tribute to Joanne Corneau (1952-2016), better known as Corno. A graduate of the Université du Québec à Montréal, she began her career in Quebec before establishing herself in Recent York. In 2006, she opened an art gallery in Montreal. Her work has been exhibited in major cities around the world, including New York, London, Monaco, Singapore, and Paris.

Similarly located in an area honoring Quebec painters, this street recognizes the career of Monique Harvey (1950-2001). Born in Montreal, this painter gained recognition in the 1980s through her participation in numerous exhibitions.

Located on Melançon Street, this public park commemorates Honorine Melançon (1861-1931). The wife of notary Joseph-Édouard Parent, she resided with her family in the former Bellefeuille manor, acquired in 1902 and located on present-day Melançon Street. Remarkably for the time, Honorine Melançon’s husband gave her some land from this estate, the management of which was her responsibility. She sold one portion of it, now Honorine-Melançon Park, to the Agricultural Society of the County of Terrebonne in 1915, with the condition that it remain a public space.

This street honors Simone Dubouil, born Sigalens (1922-2011). Originally from France, she settled in Saint-Jérôme with her husband René Dubouil and participated in the opening of a horse butcher shop in 1959. Simone Dubouil ran the business for 44 years, actively contributing to the local economic life.

Francine-Filiatrault Park pays tribute to Francine Filiatrault (1947-2016), recognized for her exceptional commitment to the sporting world. A volunteer for 40 years with the Saint-Jérôme Minor Hockey Federation, she also contributed to the provincial pee-wee tournament for nearly 35 years and coached male pee-wee teams for around 30 years.

This street commemorates the contribution of Antonia Nantel (1886-1955), wife of Louis-Athanase David. She dedicated a significant part of her life to promoting classical music in Quebec, notably through her involvement with the Montreal Orchestra and her participation in the founding of the Société des concerts symphoniques de Montréal, now the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Pauline-Cadieux Square honors Pauline Cadieux (1907-1996), a writer, journalist, and civil servant who was the first woman in Quebec to hold several important judicial positions, including at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse. A journalist for L’Écho du Nord, The Gazette, and La Presse, she is also the author of several novels, including La lampe dans la fenêtre, which inspired the film Cordélia. In the late 1970s, she contributed to the preservation of the Rivière-Blanche station, where a museum was established.

This street pays tribute to Claire Richer (1923-1985), known as Sister Marie-François-de-Jésus within the Sisters of Sainte-Anne congregation. Assistant director of Marchand School, she was also responsible for the parish of Saint-Michel-Archange starting in 1975, becoming one of the few women to hold the position of priest in Quebec.

Finally, Yvette-Grisé Street honors Yvette Grisé (1920-2019). A teacher and then director of the Hôtel-Dieu de Saint-Jérôme School of Nursing, she contributed to the training of over 300 nurses between 1958 and 1970, leaving a lasting impact on the healthcare field.

Source : Commission de toponymie du Québec