MARLBOROUGH – Sister Laurette Germain, known in religion as Sister Mary Catherine Tekakwitha, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at Marie Esther Health Center.  Sister Laurette was in the 94^th year of life and the 75^th year of her vowed religious life. She was the daughter of the late Francois X. and Annette E. (Benoit) Germain of Worcester. She completed her elementary education at the former St. Joseph’s School in Worcester and received her high school diploma from St. Anne Academy, Marlborough. Sister held a BA degree in education from Anna Maria College, Paxton and an MA degree in French from Assumption College, Worcester. She also was a licensed occupational therapy assistant.

In 1936, at the age of 17, she entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine, Quebec, Canada, and professed vows in 1938. Sister’s ministry as a teacher began in Quebec where she spent seven years on the staff of schools in Kaknawake, Rawdon, and Montreal. In 1946, she returned to the United States and taught in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne, in Holyoke and Worcester, where she taught at Holy Name Central Catholic High.

Upon retiring from the classroom, she became an assistant occupational therapist working first as activities director at Donna Kay Nursing Home in Worcester, then at St. Anne Infirmary in Marlborough until 1997, when ill health obliged her to discontinue this active ministry.

Sister Laurette is survived by her sister-in-law, Helena Germain of Apple Valley, Minn. and her nieces, nephew and cousins.  She was predeceased by her brother, Robert.

She will be waked Wednesday, Jan. 30 at St. Anne Convent, 720 Boston Post Road, Marlborough, from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 4 p.m.  The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m., at the convent chapel, with burial in Saint Mary Cemetery, Marlborough.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. A memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne or to a charity of your choice.

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