Obituaries

Sister Jeannette RoySister Mary Jeannette Roy, RSR

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Mary Jeannette Roy, RSR, the regional superior of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary who died on Sunday, March 3, at the age of 81. Sister Jeannette had just celebrated 60 years or profession in February.

Sister Jeannette was born on January 10, 1943, in Frenchville to Louis and Annette (Chasse) Roy.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph's College of Maine in Standish and a master’s degree in spirituality from Creighton University in Nebraska.

She then entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, in 1961, professing her religious vows on February 2, 1964.

Sister Jeannette taught for a number of years at the Dr. Levesque School in Frenchville. She also worked in vocation and retreat ministry for the sisters and held several leadership roles within the congregation including serving on the general council and as the motherhouse superior. She also served in pastoral ministry in Old Orchard Beach and worked to establish the congregation’s lay association.

Sister Jeannette was a quiet, peaceful presence wherever she went.  She died as she had lived, very peacefully.

Funeral Services:

Visitation: Monday, March 11, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Hope Memorial Chapel in Biddeford with prayers at 7 p.m.

Funeral: Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Margaret Church in Old Orchard Beach

Committal: Thursday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.



Sister Mary Kneeland, RSMSister Mary Kneeland, RSM

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Mary Kneeland, RSM, who died peacefully on January 14, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Convent in Biddeford. She was 95 years ol.d

Sister Mary was born in New Haven, Conn., to John J. Kneeland and Catherine Carey. Her family later moved to Massachusetts and then Maine, where she was employed at Union Mutual Insurance Co. before entering the Sisters of Mercy in 1958 from Holy Cross Parish, South Portland.

Sister Mary received a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish and was then appointed to ministry there, working in the business office and bookstore, while assisting with the Capital Fund Drive. She then continued her education, receiving a master’s degree in business administration from Suffolk University. She was appointed treasurer of Saint Joseph’s College and would serve at the college for more than 55 years.

In recognition of her contributions to the college, Sister Mary received an honorary degree in 2017, and the college unveiled the Sister Mary Kneeland Dining Room in her honor. She was recognized not only for her ability as treasurer but for her love for the students. Following her retirement as treasurer, she volunteered in the college library.

Sister Mary once stated, “My motto is: Thy Will Be Done. You try to operate your life that way knowing you are a messenger and God will take care of you.” As a Sister of Mercy this was her faith and it was the way she lived her life.  

Visiting Hours: Thursday, January 18, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 4 p.m. at Conroy-Tully Walker Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, January 19, at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.



Sister Pauline LeblancSister Pauline Leblanc, p.m.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Pauline Leblanc, a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary who died December 17 at age 94.

Sister Pauline was born in Gardiner, Massachusetts, in 1929, the oldest of three children to the late Aime and Alice Leblanc. She professed her vows with the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1950.

Sr. Pauline received a bachelor’s degree in education from Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire, and spent many years as a grammar school teacher in Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. In her later years, she worked with the preschool and kindergarten children in Methuen, Mass. Sister Pauline also helped make rosaries out of rose petals in the Rosary Boutique

 



Father Sylvio LevesqueFather Sylvio Levesque

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Sylvio J. Levesque, a priest of the Diocese of Portland, who passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the age of 93.

Father Sylvio was born in Augusta on July 13, 1930, the son of Joseph F. Levesque and Mathilda (Lagace) Levesque. He attended the former St. Augustine Grammar School and went to St. Charles Seminary in Sherbrooke, Quebec, for high school. He then received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and licentiate in sacred theology from St. Paul Major Seminary of the University of Ottawa, Ontario.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1955, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, by the Most Rev. Daniel J Feeney, eighth Bishop of Portland.

In his nearly 50 years of active ministry, Father Levesque served at many parishes including St. Louis in Limestone, St. Joseph in Biddeford, St. Joseph in Sinclair, Holy Family in Daigle, St. Athanasius & St. John in Rumford, St. Francis de Sales in Waterville, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Winthrop.

Father Levesque retired from full-time active ministry in 2001, but continued to assist parishes until he was unable to do so due to his health.

Fr. Levesque also served as chaplain to the Knights of Columbus and the Order of Catholic Women. He was also a member of the Diocesan Planning Board and the Priests’ Personnel Board.

Father Levesque was known for his sense of humor. He was an avid golfer, a master cribbage player, and cherished spending holidays with his family. He is survived by his sister: Annette Dostie.

May Fr. Sylvio’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

 



Sister Aline Roy, CSJSister Aline Roy, CSJ

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sr. Aline Roy, a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of Lyon, who died Thursday, September 14. She was 89 years old and had been in religious life for 68 years.

Sister Aline was born and raised in Canada and was very proud of her Canadian heritage. She entered the convent upon graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in Jackman which is where she got to know the Sisters of St Joseph of Lyon.

She taught or did pastoral ministry at many parishes in Maine including St. Rose of Lima Parish in Jay, Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn, Holy Family Parish in Lewiston, St. Mary of Lourdes Parish in Lincoln, St. Anne in Danforth, St. Margaret in OOB, St. Francis of Assisi in Belfast, St. John the Baptist in Winslow, St. Agnes in Pittsfield, St. James in Baileyville, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Calais.

 She was also a missionary in Benin, Africa, for nine years and in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, for three years and served in Laredo, Texas.

Sister Aline is remembered for the lively and creative “Living Stations of the Cross, which she organized in Lincoln, Baileyville, and Calais. She was a passionate and outspoken person who gave of herself fully in anything she did.

Please remember in your prayers her religious and natural families as well as her many friends and acquaintances.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church in Waterville, preceded by an hour when her body will be waked.

May her soul and the soul of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

 




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