BIDDEFORD – Sister Gertrude Godbout, 86, formerly known as Sister Marie-Gertrude, died at St. Joseph Convent on Friday, Dec.14. Sister Gertrude was the 15th child in a family of 18 children born to John Godbout and Henriette Boucher.

She was born on Dec. 2, 1921, in Biddeford. She received her elementary and secondary education at St. Joseph School in Biddeford.

In 1942, she entered the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as the Good Shepherd Sisters, in Quebec City. After her initial formation in religious life, she began her teaching career in Chicoutimi, Canada. When she returned to the United States, she earned her B.A. in behavioral sciences at Emmanuel College in Boston, and later her master’s in adult education from the University of Maine in Gorham.

Her teaching career took her to St. Ann High School in Lawrence, Mass., and St. Joseph High School in Biddeford. When she became a licensed social worker, she applied her skills in Lewiston, working for the Diocesan Human Relations Office, also at St. Andre Home in Biddeford.

However, after 20 years in social work, she went back to her specialty, teaching adults in Lewiston and in Biddeford for the next 25 years. In 1996, she spent a few months in our mission in Rwanda, Africa, as a support person to our missionaries.

When her teaching career ended, she continued to be involved in the parish community with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults; visiting women at the Cumberland County Jail, and sponsoring a youth in the “Jump Start Program” in Biddeford. For reasons of health, she retired in 2004.

Survivors include one sister, Theresa Brunelle of Biddeford; and several nieces and nephews.