Obituary of Marie (Mary) Charbonneau

CHARBONNEAU, Marie (Mary) SNJM (Sr. Louise-Claire)

The Sisters of the Holy Names (SNJM), U.S.-Ontario Province, announce the birth into eternal life of their Sister Marie (Mary) Charbonneau on   July 22, 2023 at Hospice of Windsor at the age of  91 and 71 years of Religious profession. Marie was surrounded by SNJM community, family on both sides of the border, Brentwood family and friends in these past weeks.
Sr. Marie (Mary) was the last surviving member of her family. Born to Clarice Gignac and Henry Charbonneau in 1931, she was raised in La Salle, ON.  Predeceased by her siblings Henry Mayrand, Lillian Rush, Theodore Mayrand, Marie Clark and Louis Charbonneau. Known as Aunt Mary, she is survived by many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in Michigan and in Ontario. 
In 1950, Marie entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in Outremont, QC. Professed perpetual profession in 1957. From 1952 - 1956, Marie taught in several West End Windsor Catholic Schools, St. Lucy’s in St. Clair Shores, MI and St John the Baptist in Chicago, Illinois. 
Following her years as a teacher, Marie was trained into the Nursing Profession at our SNJM Motherhouse in Outremont, QC (1958-1959), St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg, MB (1959-1964) and eventually was Administrator of the SNJM Infirmary at St. Mary’s Academy and Holy Names Residence in Windsor (1965-1998). In 1972, at the age of 40 years young, Marie was accepted into the Grace Hospital of Windsor Nursing Program and was the first Woman Religious to graduate from the Grace School of Nursing.
For more than 40 years, Marie was the RN caregiver for Sisters of Holy Names; she loved to care for the sick and the dying even while living at Devonshire Seniors Retirement Residence (2006 - 2023). SNJM staff who served with her appreciated the professionalism and care given to each person. 
In 1988, Marie, better known as Sister Mary, became part of a recovery program and community at Brentwood in Windsor, Ontario through the 12 Step Program. She shared and participated in the support network of women in recovery until the day of her death. Marie always expressed gratitude for encouragement and sisterhood in the group.
Marie desires that her legacy be: “That I loved the sick. I loved and enjoyed my career as an RN. Gratitude to God for my SNJM vocation and the gift of my recovery.”

Arrangements are as follows:

Visitation at Assumption Church (350 Huron Church Road ) on Thursday August 3, 2023 from 9:30am until time of her funeral mass at 11:00am
Cremation follow and Burial to follow at a later date: Burial will be at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in St. Anne Section.

Sisters of the Holy Names give thanks for the many partners: Former and Current SNJM Care Staff; Devonshire Retirement Staff; St.  Elizabeth Services; VON; Hospice of Windsor; Brentwood Family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Sisters of the Holy Names for Charitable Works and/or Hospice of Windsor. 

Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at www.windsorchapel.com

Arrangements entrusted to the WINDSOR CHAPEL (Central Chapel) 1700 Tecumseh Rd E Windsor ON 519-253-7234

To view the funeral mass for Sr Marie (Mary) Charbonneau please click on the link 

Livestream Link HERE