Sister Alice Desrosiers, (Sr. Doris Marie) SUSC, died at Marian Manor, Taunton, on May 14 at the age of 97. She was born in Cambridge, MA. on September 12, 1919, the daughter of the late Joseph and Eva (Verrier) Desrosiers. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, her brother Leo, sister Helene Theriault and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews survive her. Her sisters Emma Igo, Theresa Pollock, Marie Desrosiers, Irene Brodie, and Sr. Doris Desrosiers, SUSC, and brothers Gerard, Romeo and George predeceased her.
Sister Alice graduated from Our Lady of Pity High School, Cambridge and entered the Holy Union Sisters in Fall River, MA. on September 15, 1939. She pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1947. Sr. Alice studied as Sacred Heart School of Education, Fall River and received a B.S. in Education from Catholic Teachers College, Providence. She received a certificate in Library Science from Regis College. Sr. Alice taught elementary grades in schools in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island and served as librarian. As she approached retirement age, Sr. Alice took courses in gerontology. When she retired from teaching, Sr. Alice began a ministry to the elderly and homebound in the former St. Jacques Parish, Taunton, and participated in many of the parish activities.
In 2001, ill health necessitated her move to Marian Manor. Sr. Alice reached out to many other residents, visited them regularly and shared stories and laughter. In 2014 she celebrated her seventy-fifth anniversary as a Holy Union Sister at a festive tea at Marian Manor where family members, Holy Union Sisters and Associates joined her.
Visiting Hours will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 249 Whittenton Street, on Thursday, May 18 from 9:00 to 10:15 A.M. The Holy Union Sisters Vigil Service will follow at 10:15 A.M. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Sr. Alice will be buried with her sister, Sr. Doris Desrosiers in St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Attleboro. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Donations in Sr. Alice’s memory may be made to the Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office, P.O. Box 410, Milton, MA. 02186-0006. The Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home of Taunton is assisting with the arrangements.