Sr. Clémence Croteau, DHS
August 3, 1927 – February 1, 2023
Sr. Clémence Croteau, 95, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on February 1, 2023 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham, CT.
Born in Fitchburg, MA on August 3, 1927, the daughter of Clément and Malvina (LeClerc) Croteau, Clémence Therese was the 16th of 17 children. She entered religious life in 1945 at Holy Spirit Provincial House in Putnam, CT and made her religious profession on August 16, 1949. She was then known as Sr. Marie Clément.
Her first assignment in 1949 was as sacristan at Assumption Parish in Chicopee, MA and from 1950-1976 she was dietician in Wauregan and Bridgeport, CT, Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT, Uncasville, CT, Burlington, VT and the Provincial House in Putnam. She especially enjoyed decorating cakes. In 1976 she became a Nurses’ Assistant at Fairlawn Nursing Home in Leominster, MA. Sr. Clémence was certified as a Nursing Assistant in 1993 and then worked in private nursing and as a homemaker until retiring in 1999. She moved to Holy Spirit Provincial House in 2000 and provided transportation for sisters to medical appointments. In 2018 Sr. Clémence moved to St. Joseph Living Center where she was an active member of the community there until shortly before her death.
Sr. Clémence is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates. She is also survived by her sister Antoinette Leger of Fitchburg, MA and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Romeo, Theodore, Paul, Ovila, Arthur, Albert and Joseph and by her sisters Ida, Yvonne, Mariange, Clara, Bella, Bertha, Rachel and Jeanne.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday February 8, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish / St. Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT with a prayer service at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. The Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT is in charge of arrangements.
Diane Summa, DHS Associate
My dear friend, Sister Clémence,
I will miss your phone calls and my Sunday visits with you at St. Joseph Living Center.
We shared a close friend, Sister Doris. You were so good to her. You prayed for me while on earth please continue to pray for me now that you are in heaven.
Doris Clow
My sincere condolences to all of Sr Clemence’s sisters of the Holy Spirit. Sr Clemence will surely be missed by all her sister friends and her family. I am sorry I will not be there to celebrate her life but she will be in my prayers.
Doris clow
Louise Carbone
My deepest sympathy to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and staff of St Joseph’s Center for your support and loving care for our dear Aunt Sr Clemence. Deepest sympathy to the family-Aunt Toni and cousins. We were continually blessed with her love and prayers.
With love and sympathy,
Louise
Michael Archambault
My condolences to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the great care you gave this very special woman to the St. JOSEPH’S living center staff. My Dear Aunt Clemece you will be so missed are visits to see you were the best. We had some of best conversations ever you were my families favorite. Thank you for all your kind words and prayers. You are now looking down on us from heaven.
Mark S. Archambault
She was a dear woman to my heart, that I know will be headed straight to heaven. She meant a tremendous amount to my wife Nurina and I. She was selfless, devoting herself to working for others, and giving her earnings to the church in dedication of God. We loved her very much, and know she is in a better place now. I want to give my condolences to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and to everyone who made her life a better place, while she was on this earth. Aunt Sister Clemece, you will be sincerely missed.
Jode Uhlinger
Thank you Sister, for being such a wonderful and caring roommate to my Mom at St. Joseph’s. I, will certainly miss our chats, and never forget what you would tell me when I left, cherished words for sure. Thank-you, for knitting hats for my granddaughters, and I will wear mine, with thoughts of you. God Bless you.
Anne-Marie Jette
Dear Family of Sr. Clemence Croteau, D.H.S. , I was So Very Sorry to see Sr. Clemence’s Obituary. I was at St. Joseph Living Center for awhile , years ago, for Rehab. She was a bright light to me there. I was very fortunate to meet and become friendly with her. She was a Sweetheart. Just Wonderful. We exchanged many cards after I left the facility. She was a Blessing. I am so very sorry. May she Rest In Peace. And, May Perpetual Light Shine on Her. With Loving Sympathy, Anne-Marie
Marilyn Croteau
Sincere condolences to ” Les Filles de Saint Esprit” on the passing of Sister Clemence our dear aunt., and sincere thank you to the Staff at St. Joseph’s Living Center.
My Aunt was steadfast religious who dedicated her life to prayer, her vows, and obedience. Those of us who were blessed to have her in our lives were forever touched by her loving , warm, and caring personality. Always steady, ready to serve, and constant in her prayer life. She made us all feel special. We sometimes referred to her as the family “telephone operator”; you could count on her to keep us all abreast of each others lives. Her simple and good life reminds us all of what is most important…..be present with those you love. May you rest in peace ma Tante, and continue praying for those of us who grieve your loss. Tearfully, Marilyn Croteau and William Welsh, Charlotte, NC.
Claudia Bettez
I was so so sorry to hear of her passing. She meant so much to all who knew her. She was just a wonderful person and influence to me with her joy, her spirit and her faith. She will be much missed by all who knew her but she is with the angels now., on special prayer duty no doubt.