Sister Theophane Smith (Eleanor Smith) died at Bethany HealthCare Center on Monday December 3, 2012 after a long illness.  She was 102 years of age and had been a Sister of the Good Shepherd for 81 years.

     Sister Theophane was born in Watertown, MA in 1910, the daughter of Patrick Joseph Smith and Mary Agnes White.  She was educated in the Belmont schools and graduated from Belmont High School in 1928.  After high school Sister Theophane studied business in Boston in preparation for her work in the business world.

     In 1931 Sister Theophane entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Peekskill, NY, where she began her training in the mission of the Good Shepherd Sisters, to serve girls and women in need of care and education.

     After engaging in this work for five years in the residential program in Brooklyn, NY, Sister Theophane was appointed assistant to the superior of the Contemplative Sisters in the Brooklyn community and one year later was named their superior.

     Sister Theophane lover her ministry with the Contemplative Sisters and considered her work with them a very special gift.  Sister also served as superior to the Contemplative communities in Hartford, CT and Peekskill, NY until 1974.  For 38 years Sister devoted herself to this ministry and was greatly loved by the Contemplative Sisters.

     In 1974 Sister was missioned to the Apostolic community in Dix Hills, NY and was engaged in community service.  In 2008 Sister Theophane was missioned to the Good Shepherd Center in Marlborough, MA where she continued her ministry of prayer.

     Throughout her long life she was a source of joy and inspiration to her sisters in community, always ready with a listening ear, a kind work, and her great sense of humor.

     Sister Theophane is survived by her niece, Mrs. Eleanor Franey of South Carolina.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Sister Theophane by Rev. Robert Rivard at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2012 in the Good Shepherd Center chapel.  Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, December 5, 2012  at Good Shepherd Center form 4-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7 p.m.

     Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, (www.CollinsFuneral.com) 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.

Expression of sympathy in memory of Sister Theophane may be made to the Good Shepherd Retirement Fund, 406 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.

     The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a world-wide congregation, was founded in France by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in 1835, in Boston in 1867, in Marlborough in 1964 and in Harwichport in 1993 .

 Service Information