Obituary

Sister Doris Lavoie

Posted

MARLBOROUGH, MASS.— Sister Doris Lavoie, 90, (Sister M. Paul Edouard), a Sister of St. Anne, died December 29 in Marie Esther Health Center in Marlborough. Born in Worcester, she was the only daughter of eight children born to Edward and Rose Anna (Robillard) Lavoie. She was a graduate of Holy Name Elementary school and the first graduating class of Holy Name High School in Worcester. She joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine, Quebec and pronounced vows in 1948.

Sister Doris began her teaching ministry in Montreal and returned to the United States where she taught in elementary and secondary schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne in Massachusetts and in Rhode Island. She was teacher and principal at Notre Dame School in North Adams. She was a business teacher at St. Ann’s Academy in Marlborough. In Rhode Island, she was a business teacher and principal at the former Notre Dame High School in Central Falls.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Anna Maria College and did further studies in education and administration at the College of St. Rose (N.Y.), Boston College, the University of Notre Dame, Catholic Teachers’ College (R.I.) and St. Joseph College (Conn.).

Her successful teaching career was interrupted when the Congregation, recognizing her talents for finances and administration, set her on a course of involvement as bursar and as coordinator in local convents, as Province treasurer, and as Assistant Provincial. In later years, she was the bookstore manager at Holy Name Central Catholic High School, secretary at St. Stephen School in Worcester and at St. Anne Montessori School in Marlboro and a library aide at Anna Maria College. Until ill health prevented more activity, she assisted in convent finance offices.

Sister Doris was predeceased by her parents, and her brothers: Edmond, Arthur, George, Oscar, Alfred and Charles Lavoie. She leaves to grieve her sister in law, Ethel Lavoie, special and cherished nieces and nephews, extended family, life-long and dear friends and her religious family of Sisters of St. Anne.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, January 2, at the St. Anne Convent chapel, Marlborough, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, M.A. 01752.