It was right about the time of first Vespers for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, the foundation day of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, that Marie Rose Courtemanche expressed her final fiat to her Lord to whom she had dedicated 63 years of her life as a professed religious.
Marie Rose, who took the religious name of Sr. Amelia Thomas, upon professing her first vows in September of 1955, was born in Southbridge, MA. on March 7, 1932. She came to know the Daughters through multiple contacts and, attracted by the work the Sisters did, decided to enter the Congregation in 1954. Soon after profession Sister started her multi-faceted career as a DHS. She served the people of God in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Africa as dietician, nurse’s aide and missionary. In her retirement at the Provincial House she was a volunteer driver to take Sisters to regular appointments, outside activities and home visits. The word “no” did not seem to be a part of Sister’s vocabulary, and her service was always rendered with a smile and in a gentle and kind manner.
In 2016 Rose Marie’s declining health earned her a new home at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham where she joined the community of 21 other Daughters.
While at St. Joseph’s she continued to bring smiles to both her Sisters and the lay residents of the facility. She was always happy to greet visitors and to participate in local activities. She especially enjoyed distributing goodies that guests would bring to share with the Sisters. Her smile and her soft voice and her tender loving touch will be missed by all.
Sister’s wake will be held at the Provincial House Chapel on Tuesday, December 11 from 6-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:15. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following day, December 12th, at 11:00 a.m. also in the PH Chapel. Sister will be laid to rest in the DHS section of St. Mary of the Visitation Cemetery on Providence Street in Putnam.
For more information you may contact the Provincial Secretary at 860 928-0891 ext. 118. Memorial gifts may be offered for the DHS Retirement Fund and addressed to the Office of Development 72 Church St. Putnam, CT 06260.
May Rose Marie’s gentle spirit continue to sing her God’s praises forever and ever!
