HARWICH - Sister Mary Lucy Coutu (Maxime Therese Coutu) died Monday, June 13, 2011, at Epoch of Harwich after a long illness. She was 81 years of age and had been a Sister of the Good Shepherd for 64 years. Sister Mary Lucy was born in Springfield August 21, 1929, the daughter of Philodolphe and Cecile (Champagne) Coutu. She attended Brightwood Junior High School and Cathedral High School in Springfield and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in math at Elms College, Chicopee.  She entered the Good Shepherd Novitiate Feb. 2, 1947 to prepare for her lifelong work with the poor and those marginalized by society, with special emphasis on women and teenage girls. Sister Mary Lucy was assigned to teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Springfield and was also involved in vocational training. After profession, she was missioned to Providence, R.I., where she continued to teach and also served as childcare supervisor.  Sister Mary Lucy made Final Vows August 28, 1952.  Subsequent missions included Troy, N.Y., where she continued to teach, including vocational training, and then she returned to Springfield in the same role, including childcare supervisor of the girls in residence there.

In 1974 Sister Mary Lucy was missioned to the Good Shepherd Generalate in Rome, Italy, where as staff, she conducted tours and served with the hospitality staff for the many visitors to the Order's headquarters. Upon returning to the States, Sister Mary Lucy was involved in chaplain duties such as hospital visitation and as Eucharistic Minister in various settings, including congregational service to the community in New York City and pastoral care at the Cabrini Adult Day Care Center, also in New York City. Sister Mary Lucy was missioned to Good Shepherd Center in Marlborough in 2004, then to Epoch of Harwich in 2005 due to failing health. Sister Mary Lucy is survived by a niece, Patty Dietrich of Maryland, as well as several other nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered for Sister Mary Lucy Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m., at Good Shepherd Center, 406 Hemenway Street, Marlborough. Visiting hours at Good Shepherd Center will be held Wednesday, June 15, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.  Burial will be in Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald and Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.

Expressions of sympathy in honor of Sister Mary Lucy may be made to the Good Shepherd Retirement Fund, 406 Hemenway Street, Marlborough, MA 01752.