Putnam – Sr. Gilberte Désilets, DHS, (102), a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit died on Sunday
September 28 at the Holy Spirit Provincial House where she had been in retirement since 2001.
Sr. Gilberte was born on February 22, 1912 at St. Grégoire, P.Q. Canada, the daughter of the late Eric and Blanche (Hébert) Désilets. She entered religious life in 1928 and made her religious profession on August 25, 1931 at the Motherhouse in St. Brieuc, France. She was then known as Sr. Cecilia.
She began her teaching career at St. Mary School, Jewett City and then at Immaculate Conception School, Fitchburg, MA; Holy Family School, Fairfield, CT; and Assumption School, Chicopee, MA. In 1980 she retired from teaching and served in various capacities as Dietician, Domestic Services at St. Joseph Guest House in New Haven and she did private tutoring at St. John School, Plainfield, CT, and St. Mary School, Jewett City, CT.
Sr. Gilberte is survived by 2 sisters, Fernande Desilets of Leominster, MA and Jacqueline Mills of Brockton, MA and several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Calling hours at the Holy Spirit Provincial chapel will be on Monday, September 29, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:15. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Provincial House chapel followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com
Dr. Timothy C. Hoffman
Well done Good and Faithful Servant now enter into the Joy that was prepared for you from before the world began!
dennis j. riley
one of my sons, Timothy, was blessed to serve with Sister at St. Mary’s school in Jewett City in the early 90s…he knew her as Sister ice cream…I’m ceertain her influence contributed significantly to his emergence today as a solid grammar school teacher–in the Bronx. I willk add her to my prayer list–not that she needs them.
Barbara Polanski
A true friend and a beautiful person. Will miss our notes back and forth. Continue, please, to pray for us from above.
Ellen Standtke
Remembering a kind and gentle spirit with gratitude and appreciation.
Anne Ancona
My mother just recently heard that Sr. Cecelia had died. She was Mom’s kindergarden teacher in Jewett City in probably 1935 or 1936. I took her (Betty Anne (LeClaire) Fidler to visit a few years ago and we had a lovely visit. What a good long life. I’m sorry for your loss.
Jack Carvalho
Sr. Gilberte was my first grade teacher at Assumption school in Chicopee Mass. And was one of the most beloved caring women I have ever known. Compassionate and loving and ALWAYS made me smile. My family was honored to know her and our lord in heaven is honored to accept her. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and a special thank you from me to her for helping me to not only keep my faith strong inside me for all these years,but allow me the honor to walk with her on earth.
Jack Carvalho
This most holy woman was my first grade teacher at Assuption, and was the most loving , caring , and genuine person I knew. I know that she lived a good life and I know that her actions affected anybody she came in contact with positively . I offer only thanks for the lord allowing me to know her and wish her and her family blessings and happiness.