METHUEN – Sr. Gilberte Boisvert, 87, died Tuesday June 19, 2012 at the St. Claire Residence of the Presentation of Mary in Methuen.
Born in Biddeford, Maine on July 23, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Ubald and Clara (Bibeau) Boisvert. After completing her primary and secondary education at St. Andre’s Catholic School in Biddeford, she entered the Novitiate of the Presentation of Mary Sisters in Hudson, NH in August 1941. Sr. Gilberte pronounced her first vows on February 2, 1944 taking the name Sr. Claire Antoinette.
Sr. Gilberte pursued her studies at St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT, where she received her degrees in Methods of Teaching Religion. She dedicated her life to teaching various grades in elementary schools in Maine and Massachusetts where she was loved by her students. Later she served as a local Superior and engaged in many ministries; Cursillo, Marriage Encounters and Religious Education; Sr. Gilberte made her name as an avid and astute stamp collector. In her great love and commitment to the poor, she zealously spent 14 years working at the St. Martin de Pores Clothing Closet and Soup Kitchen in Lewiston, Maine, and drew many to volunteer in this much needed ministry. In 2004, Sister retired to the Saint Claire Residence, due to serious health issues and was transferred to the Infirmary a year ago.
Sr. Gilberte was predeceased by three brothers, Roland, Robert and Lorenzo. She leaves nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and close volunteer-helpers from various ministries.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. and 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. at the St. Claire Residence of the Presentation of Mary 209 Lawrence St. Methuen, MA. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 2:30p.m. in the Presentation of Mary Chapel. Burial will follow in the Presentation of Mary Cemetery also in Methuen, MA. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc., Methuen, MA. To send online condolences please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com