Sr. Leona LeFleur Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Methuen, MA- Sr. Leona Lafleur, 96, a Sister of the Presentation of Mary Order died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at the Ste. Claire Residence. Born in Chicopee, MA in 1912, she was the daughter of Leon and Alphonsine Lafleur. Sr. Leona entered the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary in 1931 in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. In 1933 she professed her religious vows taking the name of Sr. M. St. Leon- de- Rome. She received her Bachelors degree from Catholic Teachers? College in Providence RI, a certificate in Philosophy from Boston College and her Masters in Education from Rhode Island College in Providence. During her 75 years as a religious she served her Congregation as a teacher from 1933-1948 in various schools in Manchester NH, Woonsocket, RI, and Linwood, Gardener, and Holyoke, MA. She was the first principal at Marie Joseph Academy in Biddeford, ME from 1955-1976. She was superior and principal in Augusta, Biddeford and Lewiston, MA. In 1973, she received the Outstanding Educator of Maine Award. After a one year sabbatical, she became the Community?s School Supervisor for six years. She then returned to Methuen to be the local superior of the Sister? Infirmary and of the retired sisters. In 1989 she returned to Marie Joseph Spiritual Center for ten years where she ministered to the elderly by directing monthly French retreats. In 1998 Sr. Leona carried the message of Jesus? love for humanity to the residents of the Maine Veterans? Home in Scarborough, ME- a ministry very close to her heart as she had five brothers serving in the military. Sister is survived by her sister, Juliette Gingras of Holyoke, MA and brothers the Rev. Gerard Lafleur of Chicopee, MA, Albert Lafleur and his wife Phyllis of Venice, FL and Leon Lafleur and his wife Constance of Chicopee, MA, a sister-in-law Constance Lafleur of Chicopee, MA. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Helen Perron, Gertrude Chatel and her brothers Bernard Lafleur, Marcel Lafleur, Raymond Lafleur, William Lafleur, Gilbert Lafleur and Vincent Lafleur. ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may call on Wednesday July 9, 2008 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the Ste. Claire Residence, 209 Lawrence Street in Methuen. A funeral service will be held on Thursday July 10, at 2:30 PM at the Chapel at Residence St. Claire. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc. 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen.

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Sr. Leona LeFleur