Sister Maria Francesca (Marguerite) Cloutier OPB1939 – 2022BAUBURN – Sr. Maria Francesca Cloutier died on Aug. 6, 2022, at the age of 81 at her home where she was transfigured before the Lord in her sleep. Sr. Francesca was born on Nov. 27, 1939 to Laurent and Francoise (Bisson) Cloutier and baptized on Nov. 30, 1939, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church.

On Aug. 30, 1956, at the age of 17 she entered the Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation as a pre-postulant in Brookline Massachusetts and became a postulant in February 1957. Shortly after she left for Mortefontaine, France for her novitiate training and on April 25, 1959, Sr. Francesca made her temporary vows. On June 2, 1962 she made her final vows in Lewiston, Maine.

During her life, Sr. Francesca pursued her studies in education and was a teacher wherever she was assigned. She taught in Brookline, Mass., Sabattus and Lewiston, Rome, Italy, and Staten Island, NY. She loved children and teaching the little ones was one of her passions. She had a way of connecting with the children and they all loved her. She was in Staten Island as a classroom teacher at St. Rita’s Catholic School from 1969 to 1990.

In 1990 Sr. Francesca pursued her studies for her second career of becoming a Grief and Bereavement Counselor. This was also another passion of hers. She was present and journeyed with the sick and dying patients as well as with their families. Sr. Francesca had a very caring and compassionate spirit and went out of her way to help anyone. She became the Grief and Bereavement Counselor at University Hospital on Staten Island as well as the Director of Pastoral Care. In 2003, she retired due to illness and moved back to Lewiston.

Sr. Francesca was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Jean, Raymond and Roger Cloutier. She is survived by her sisters Claire Poirier, Marie Waterman, Lise (Martin) Schulze, her brothers Philippe and Adrien Cloutier, several nieces and nephews and her religious community, the Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation.

Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on Monday, August 15, at Holy Cross Church 1080 Lisbon St. in Lewiston followed by the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Services will conclude with committal prayers at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lewiston.

A special thank you to Cheryl from Androscoggin Home Health and to the Auburn Police Department for their help and concern.

Arrangements are with The Fortin Group, 70 Horton Street, Lewiston.

Online condolences can be shared with her family at http://www.thefortingrouplewiston.com.

In memory of Sr. Francesca, donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes, 61 Lisbon Rd. in

Sabattus, ME 04280.