December 22, 2024

OBITUARY: Sister Therese L’Heureux, SSJ

REGIONAL
Staff report

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Sister Therese L’Heureux (formerly Sister Therese Albert), 97, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on Dec. 15. A native of Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Albert and Florida (Champagne) L’Heureux.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Le Puy at Fall River from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Fall River, Mass. in 1942 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. Sister L’Heureux graduated from Novitiate High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart College, both in Fall River.

Sister L’Heureux served as teacher at St. Joseph School and St. Therese School, New Bedford; Blessed Sacrament School, Fall River and St. Joseph School, Vinton, La. For more than 30 years, she used her exceptional skills in carpentry, plumbing and electricity in maintaining school property, including boilers at Atlantis Charter School and Our Sisters Place in Fall River. Her artistry came to fruition through the renovation of the convent chapel in Fall River.  She also received several awards from agencies recognizing her professional talent and skills. 

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by a brother, Norman L’Heureux of Harwich, Mass., two sisters, Evelyn Ibbotson of Portsmouth, R.I. and Jeaninne Cyr of Fall River, Mass., as well as nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Florida L’Heureux, her sisters Georgette Davis, Elaine Mello, Claire Simone, Cecile Ward and her brother, Paul L’Heureux. 

All services for Sister L’Heureux will take place in Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1945 Northampton Street. She will be waked Monday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.