MARLBOROUGH-Sister Ernestine Barrette, a Sister of St. Anne, known in religion as Sister Mary Edward, died at the age of 95 at Marie Esther Health Center in this city on Thursday, November 1, 2012. She was in the 74^th year of religious life.
She was the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Angeline (Dufresne) Barrette of Saylesville, RI.
She completed her elementary education at St. Matthew School in Central Falls, RI, and graduated from St. Anne Academy in Marlborough. She obtained a B.A. Degree at Anna Maria College in Paxton and M.A. degree in English Literature from Boston College. Se was certified as an L.P.N. from former David State Fanning School of Health Services, in Worcester.
In 1935, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine, Quebec, and was professed in 1938. Sister began her teaching career in schools staffed by the Congregation in the Province of Quebec, Canada before returning to the USA in 1944. She taught in several High Schools located in Marlborough, Lynn, Worcester, Holyoke, Watertown, and Lecturer/Registrar at Anna Maria College, Paxton. After teaching 37 years, she began her career as an L.P.N. at St. Anne Infirmary. Sister felt a call to go to the African Mission at Otele, Cameroun where she continued her nursing career and also teaching at the Catholic Seminary. Because of illness, she was obliged to return to the United States where she resumed responsibilities at Marie Esther Health Center. In her later years she continued to be of service at St. Anne Convent Sister is survived by her Sister Veronica of Jesus and sisters in community and her sister Fernande Beaucage and her husband George of Warwick, RI, and her brother Joseph Barrette of North Attleboro, MA and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Sr. M. Jacqueline Rita, S.S.A. and seven siblings.

The wake will take place at St. Anne Convent, 720 Boston Post Rd East, Marlborough, MA on Monday, November 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by a prayer service. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 6 at 10 a.m. in the Convent chapel
with burial in Saint Mary cemetery, Marlborough. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com) , 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A memorial contribution may be made to St. Anne Retirement Fund or to a charity of your choice.

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