The Sisters of the Assumption mourn the loss of Sr. Fernande Richard, formerly known as Sr. Fernande-de-Sainte-Marie, who passed away at North Shore Medical Center / Salem Hospital on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. She was a native of Salem, Massachusetts, the daughter of Louise (Tremblay) Richard and Stephen Richard.
Sr. Fernande entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Assumption on August 21, 1952. Following her profession in 1955, she served in the ministry of education as a primary grade teacher in Lowell, Southbridge, Everett and Spencer, MA and Laconia, NH. From 1969 to 1992, she taught Junior High at St. Joseph School in Salem, MA where she was loved and appreciated by all her students. After retiring from teaching, she served as a part-time librarian and was a leader and treasurer of her community as well as a resource person for her Congregation’s Associates. Also, she was very much involved in her parish prayer group.
Sr. Fernande is survived by her sister, Sr. Jeanne Richard, SASV, her many Richard family cousins as well as her adopted family Anne & David DeVoe and their daughter Kate Tirabassi, her husband Dan and son Joshua, and Sister Fernande’s many friends.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette Street, [Route 114 /1-A] Salem. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Church 156 Federal Street in Salem. Sr. Fernande will be laid to rest in the East Street Cemetery, Petersham, MA on Thursday, May 17th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of the Assumption Retirement Fund, 207 Pleasant Street, Marlboro, MA 01752 or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 156 Federal St., Salem, MA 01970. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com