Evening star., 1955-05-06
Girls Cool to Million,
Yvonne Dionne Saws
BY MARIE GREBENC
NsEth American Newspaper Alliance


MONTREAL. Quebec, May 6.
The Dionne girls who inherit
a million dollars this month
don't plan to do anything
with it.
There is too much work
around here to think about it
:. We have exams soon," said
Yvonne Dionne. one of the four
surviving members of the Dionne
quintuplets, in an exclusive in
terview at the hospital here
where she is in training.
Yvonne laughed on specula-
ton about marriage prospects
for any of the sisters.
I'VE don't even have boy
friends" she said. in what is
believed to be the first interview
any of the girls has granted.
The worlds most famous
sisters are virtually ignoring
their coming-of-age May %,
when they will share a million
dollar trust fund.
"Cecile and I shall probably
be on duty" Yvonne told a re-
porter.
There may be some family
gifts to open. but there will be
no party.
There may be an exchange Of
phone calls and cards. but there
will be no formal family re-
union.
Separated on Birthday
For the first time since they
were born 81 years ago in
northern Ontario farmhouse at
Callander, each will pass her
birthday in her own way
In a sense, it will be an anti
climax. For eight months ago,
death struck far more decisive
blow at the charmed circle and
claimed Emile.
Yvonne ,Dionne. hair clipped
close in the efficient trademark
of a student nurse, carefully
avoided mention of the sister
who died of suffocation during
an epileptic attack.
Will she miss being with her
sisters?
Yes, of course, but you get
used to it," she said in an English
only slightly blurred by French
accent. Besides, Cecile is here
with me-"
Yvonne and Cecile are in their
first year of training at the Hos
pital pEsperance. A third sister,
Annette is studying music at the
Marguerite Bourgeoys College on
WeStmount avenue.
I'VE see her quite often she
has more time off," Yvonne
smiled.
Marie at Home
The fourth sister. Marie, is at
home in Callander. taking care
of her mother. Mrs. Ovila
Dionne recently underwent sur
gerry at the hospital where
Yvonne and Cecile are training.
Both mama and Marie are
getting along very nicely"
Yvonne said. Marie is happier
now :"
OF all the sisters. the frail
Marie, closest to the more effer-
vescent Emile, was most grief
stricken by her sisters tragic
death last August 6.
Yvonne and Cecile share a
typical dormitory room in the
hospital where they are training.
Girl-fashion, it was cluttered up
with clothes scattered over cots
and chairs.
AS Yvonne chatted. Cecile slept
in her cot.
Were on night shift this
month";" Yvonne explained.
That's from $50 at night until
$3.50 in the morning
II like it-I can't get up in
the mornings" she laughed.
Yvonne was dressed in plain,
unsophisticated fashion in white,
high-collared blouse and navy
skirt and slippers. Tiny and
slender, she looks more like a
teen-ager than young woman
entering maturity. Her large
brown eyes light up quickly with
laughter, making her much
prettier than her pictures. She
has an air of puppylike eager
ness to please.
II like everything about nurs-
ing-taking care of people. get
ting them to bed, working on
case-histories. 1t is very inter-
esting," Yvonne said enthusi-
astically.
Together This Summer
The four Dionne sisters do not
expect to be together again until
some time this summer.
1--WE have two weeks off, and
we will probably go home"
Yvonne said. II think Annette
will be home then from school,
and Marie will be there"
Annette is in her first year at
the music conservatory at the
exclusive school for young ladies.
When annette was approached
for an interview, she burst into
tears and fed.
Il think she wants to be
friendly. but she's afraid" the
nun said.
About the money which has
been held for her and her sis
ters since birth, Yvonne seemed
totally Indifferent.
II don't know what to do with
1t . I'm not interested in 1t