1923 – 2013

LEWISTON — Irene Murielle Paradis, Sr. Mary Zita Paradis, OSU, 89, passed away at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, Lewiston, on Feb. 8.

Irene was born in Auburn on Nov. 8, 1923, the daughter of Edgar Paradis and Josephine Simoneau Paradis. The family moved to Lewiston following the loss of their property and belongings when Old Auburn burned down in the 1930s and Irene completed her elementary education at St. Mary’s Ursuline School on Oxford Street. Following her eighth-grade graduation in 1940, Irene remained close to her former Ursuline teachers and in 1944 entered the Ursuline Novitiate in Waterville. She received the religious name Mary Zita and pronounced her vows of religion in 1947.

Having chosen a life of service to community, Mary Zita remained faithful to this ministry throughout her life, serving the following communities in Maine: Waterville, Brunswick, Lewiston and Dedham, Mass., mainly as cook and community driver, retiring at Mount St. Joseph Care Facility in Fairfield in 2005 and later transferring to St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, Lewiston, in March 2008.

Sr. Mary Zita is survived by her loving and devoted niece, Barbara Bizier and husband, Robert; as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; by two sisters, Josephine Turner and Yvonne Turgeon; and brothers, John and Roland.

The Ursuline Sisters and Sister’s surviving family members wish to thank the staff at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion, 4 West, and that of the Androscoggin Hospice, for their devoted care for Sr. Zita.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.