True and Fascinating Canadian History

Fortieth Anniversary of Women in the RCMP

1974 - 2014

A Very Special Nurse

And

The First in RCMP History

Constable Ardene Mary Bosse

by J. J. Healy

No one would disagree that Constable Ardene Mary Bosse smiled very easily. In early 1976, Ardene had aimed her dreams high -- on an entirely new career. It was very apparent that the world was about to change for the better. Ardene had left the nursing profession and was fully prepared to tackle policing and the RCMP.

She had more reasons to be appreciative than many people realized -- until one listened to her speak. Or, unless one knew Ardene Mary Bosse's future aspirations. Or, unless one knew about the very special man -- the only important man in Ardene's life -- her young son who lived in New Brunswick.

Over all these many years, I have often thought of Ardene Bosse. In the short story which follows, I would like to share with you my recollections of Ardene and the inspiration which Recruit Bosse imparted to me. And I'll also tell you the tragic manner of her unexplainable death and the reason that she is included among the very first.

I was one of Adrene's Instructors and if my memory is correct, she was a member of Troop 8, 1976. Early in her training days, I had given a lecture and I had mentioned an example of a police case in New Brunswick. As a result, Ardene came and introduced herself to me after class because she was also from Canada's proud and only official bilingual province.

I could easily tell by Ardene's exhuberence and confidence that she was very proud to be in Regina as a new member of the Force. One could easily spot her among other recruits -- it was her eye glasses -- they were hugh -- the big and colourful square type glasses which were popular during the mid 1970's -- hers were the size of a Beetle Volkswagon windshield. She was very alert and highly interested in her classes and it was apparent that she was not wasting time. And then she was gone -- she sprinted off to another class with her Troop.

Over the months, I continued to see Ardene in class as well as in the corridors of the Applied Science Building. She was a wee older than many others in her Troop afterall she had had already well succeeded in her nursing career. But, Ardene's new career in the RCMP was different than nursing because policing was all new and the job opportunity provided her with a fresh sense of security and well being for her family.

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At the recruit stage of Ardene's career, she only wanted to return to New Brunswick. Most of her sentences included a reference to her son who awaited her back east. I could tell that her son was lomesone yet very proud of Mom. Her son and his grandparents would come to her Graduation if all her plans went smoothly. Ardene had lots to keep her mind occupied.

Recruit time at 'Depot' does not equate to fun time for most women. Let me be blunt. Men like to sweat. Women don't like sweat. Women detest the word sweat. Mild perspiration is acceptable provided it's not called perspiration and provided that it's not apparent. I had this extended health lesson explained by Ardene when she came to visit me unexpectedly one weekend afternoon at the mid-way point of her training. She was accompanied by her pal Carol Blackhurst.

It was a warm Saturday afternoon and the pair had been downtown shopping. Regina's springtime weather gave rise to Ardene and Carol's concern about physical exeration. They reasoned that the dictionary must have been discovered by a woman -- for it was the dictionary that gave women more choices of words to use rather than sweat. Woman don't sweat, the two concluded. Women glissen. They glow. Then suddenly they were off again -- sprinting back to 'Depot' where books awaited.

Ardene Bosse died far, far to young. She could have made a huge impact on the RCMP. She was well educated, bilingual and she possessed valuable experience which could only come from a professional background such as nursing. She was comfortable around people and she was instinctive about helping people. That's a plus in policing. I have no doubt that she would have influenced other women to champion policing and to consider the RCMP as a career. She alone was an inspiration.

Ardene was an appreciative person. I gathered that her life had been a mix of joys as well as defeats. As an Instructor, it was good to hear her speak unselfishingly about how her life had changed. I would have enjoyed working with her.

I was invited to Ardene's Graduation and I met her family from New Brunswick. We bade farewell.

Shortly after her Graduation from 'Depot', Ardene was a passenger in a small water plane. Apparently the pilot successfully landed the plane on the lake near Minto, NB but it tipped. I believe she drowned. She was the first RCMP woman to die in New Brunswick.

I often think of Ardene. Her life can be summarized as one who lived to make life better for others. Especially for her son.

Love is the word. It's also in the dictionary.