In Loving Memory...

Sister Marie Emile, CSC
(Irene Therese Dubois)
Birth: May 8, 1915
Profession: August 15, 1941
Death: July 2, 2006

Sister Marie Emile, Irene Therese Dubois, was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, May 8, 1915, to Emile Dubois and Emeline Bouffard Dubois. Her father was born in Saint Leonard, Canada, and her mother in Manville, Rhode Island.

There were three girls and one boy in the Dubois family. When Marie was in her early teens the entire family was involved in a car accident. Her father and one sister were killed, and other members of the family were injured. Marie suffered a fractured pelvis. Her mother’s brother was a priest, and for a number of years after the accident they lived with him in Rhode Island. As Marie reflected on this tragedy and these years she said, “My uncle took us under his wing, and I attribute my vocation to his influence.”

Eventually the family moved back to Flint, Michigan, where Marie completed her grade and high school education, in 1939 she entered the congregation, made first profession in 1941 and final profession in 1944. Her bachelor’s degree was from Saint Mary’s College with a major in French and a minor in English. She did post graduate work at Marquette University in Milwaukee.

Much of her life was spent in teaching – 21 years in elementary schools and 16 years in secondary schools.

Her first love was teaching French. She spoke French fluently and was delighted when she found someone she could engage in a French conversation. Her class trips to Toronto and France were an extension of her teaching.

In 1978 she came to Our Lady of Holy Cross Convent from Flint. She provided service to the sisters there by driving and helping with household duties. In the eighties she began a career in volunteering at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, which she continued for over 20 years. Her graciousness and hospitality endeared her to the physicians, staff and visitors at the medical center.

Some things stand out as I look back over her life. She loved her family and her French roots. She appreciated the love and devotion her nieces and nephews extended to her. Her devotion to Brother André was evident as she shared the oil from St. Joseph’s Oratory with the sick, and prayers requesting his intercession for healing. Friendships and hospitality were important to her. Tessie and Molly, her two student friends from Saint Mary’s College, both now graduates, were a true delight to her. She treasured the relationships which were the outgrowth of her ministry in the physician library at the medical center. Her openness and welcoming ways touched many who came to worship in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. Finally, as her ability to communicate became more limited, she realized how dependent she was upon her sisters in Holy Cross and the staff, which gave her assistance and care. Whether the sisters were visiting, praying, remembering times past or even falling asleep, her gratitude and appreciation were evident. Recently she even had a resident assistant with whom she could converse in French. Those conversations truly lifted her spirit.

During these past months she expressed frequently that she wanted to go home to God. Her wish was fulfilled early Sunday morning as her God came to take her. May she rest in peace.

Written by Sister Joan Elizabeth Johnson, CSC

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.