MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Sister Helen Chevrette, 88, (Sister M Cecile of the Savior) a Sister of St. Anne, died May 18, 2021 in Alliance Health at Marie Esther Center in this city. Born in Central Falls, she was the older child of two girls born to George and Florida (Durand) Chevrette.
She graduated from the former Notre Dame High School (Central Falls). After graduation, she joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine Quebec, and pronounced vows at the Sisters of St. Anne Motherhouse.
A dedicated teacher, she began an extensive commitment to education at the elementary, middle school and secondary levels in schools in the Quebec area staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne as well as at Kanawake reserve and at St. Regis reservation in New York state.
After almost fifteen years, Sister Helen returned to the United States and her home state of Rhode Island where she would expand her teaching ministry and add school administration and community leadership service to her growing resume.
Sister Helen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass., and a Master’s degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University in Alleghany, N.Y. She was listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She was selected as a teacher “who made a difference.”
In her many years in the Catholic School system in Rhode Island, she taught at the former St. James School in Manville, St. Matthew School and Notre Dame High School in Central Falls. She was the principal at St. Matthew School.
Beyond the classroom, Sister Helen remained a woman of prayer and of service in each aspect of her life. She served as coordinator for the Sisters and with them moved through closings, mergers and consolidations of schools and their convent.
When her teaching years ended, she moved to St. Anne’s Convent in Marlboro where only the titles changed. She coordinated transportation and hospitality and she brought prayer, presence and continued service to the needs of that larger community.
In addition to her religious family of the Sisters of St. Anne, Sister Helen leaves family to grieve, friends and former students.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Friday, May 21.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road, East, Marlborough, Mass., 01752.
