Sister M. Albrette Rouleau, IHM

Sister M. Albrette Rouleau, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, October 1, 2010, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

She was born on March 11, 1920 in Providence, RI, and given the name Marie Claire Pauline. She was the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Yvonne Gendreau Rouleau. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1939, made temporary her profession of vows on May 8, 1942, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1945.

Sister Albrette was a teacher in primary and secondary schools for nearly thirty years. She served in the following schools: St. Mary of the Mount Elementary School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1942 to 1945; St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, DE, from 1945 to 1947; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1947 to 1952; Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY, from 1952 to 1953; Archbishop Neale High School in La Plata, MD, from 1953 to 1959; St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, NY, from 1959 to 1967; and Bishop Neumann High School in Williamsport, PA, from 1969 to 1970.

Sister Albrette served as principal at St. Alphonsus High School in New York, NY, from 1970 to 1972.

At the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, Sister served on the support staff in the IHM Business Office from 1972 to 1995, and receptionist from 1995 to 1999.

From 1999 until the time of her death, Sister Albrette was a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence, both located in Scranton.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Marywood College, and a Master of Arts degree in commerce from New York University.

She was preceded in death by a brother, George, and two sisters, Marcelle and Florence Rouleau.

She is survived by a brother, Albert; a sister, Sister Marie Marguerite Rouleau, RSM; nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton. Interment will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Moscow PA. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Monday, October 4, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m.

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Reprinted from “In Memoriam” section of Journey, Fall 2010 issue

A sharp mind and a steadfast, courageous spirit were only two of the gifts which Claire Rouleau brought to the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1939. Her French-Canadian heritage had already given her a strong faith and a deep desire to serve God with her very life.

Through the rigors of early training in the novitiate and mission life, I don’t think Sister Albrette ever wavered from her resolve to give her all to God. She faced squarely the demands of teaching, from primary to secondary classes in many locations over a span of almost thirty years. She also served as principal of a high school in New York. The most challenging call, however, came when she was assigned to the congregation’s Business Office in 1972.

During Sister’s tenure in the Business Office, the congregation was taking on many earth-shattering ventures, like health insurance and Social Security. Many Sisters have said that you could call Sister Albrette at any hour with a question about health insurance and she would give you the answer immediately. Her work became her life and, ultimately, the life of the congregation.

When Sister Albrette’s niece, Karen Rouleau, came to Scranton for her funeral, she explained that her husband, Greg, wanted to be there, but he couldn’t take a day off from his job—how like his aunt, Sister Albrette!

Our prayers and sympathy go out to Sister’s brother, Albert, her sister, Sister Marie Marguerite, RSM, and to all her nieces and nephews. May she rest in peace!

by Sister Marionette Coll, IHM