Biddeford – Sister Bernadette Marcoux, formerly known as Sr. Denise-Marie, died at St. Joseph Convent on Sunday, June 7, at the age of 69.

Bernadette was the third in a family of three girls born to Onesime Marcoux and Eva Dube. Bernadette was born on Oct. 1, 1939, in Lawrence, Mass. She attended St. Joseph Elementary School, then St. Anne High School both in her native city of Lawrence.

On Sept. 1, 1958, Bernadette entered the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec) in Saco. After her initial training in religious life, Sister spent a year perfecting her culinary skills at our Mother House in Quebec City. Upon her return to the States, she spent nine years working in the kitchen preparing delicious, nutritious meals, mostly in Bay View, serving a large number of sisters.

In preparation for a new career, Sister worked for three years as a nurses’ aide before obtaining her certificate as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in South Portland. Thus began her long career in nursing where she gave tender loving care to patients at Webber Hospital, Southern Maine Medical Center, St. Andre Health Care Facility, all in Biddeford. She also gave years of service at Mid-Maine Medical Center and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Lewiston.

When Sr. Bernadette retired from nursing, she worked in the Provincial Business Office in Bay View, being responsible for the good functioning of our Brazilian education program. Because of illness, Sr. Bernadette was transferred to St. Joseph Convent in 2004, where she continued her work for the Brazilian education program.

Sister Bernadette is survived by her two sisters, Theresa Hamel and Cecile McGowan; and several nieces and nephews.