Marlborough- Sister Mary Bernadetta (Jean B.) Haviland died on November 3, 2026 after a brief illness. Sister Bernadetta was 99 years of age and had been in the Good Shepherd community for 77 years.

Sister was born in Weehawken, NJ in 1927, the daughter of Arthur J. and Elizabeth (Mischo) Haviland. She graduated from St. Peter’s High School in New Brighton, Long Island, New York.

After working in the business world for four years, Sister Bernadetta entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Peekskill, NY in 1949 where she received her training as an Apostolic Sister of the Good Shepherd, working with girls and women.

Sister made her first profession of vows in 1952 and pronounced her final vows in 1955. After profession, Sister was missioned to Morristown, NJ where she began her work as a teacher and childcare worker with the girls in residence.

In 1959 Sister Bernadetta attended a program in Childcare Practices, given at St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO and then returned to Morristown, NJ where she continued her Good Shepherd ministry with the girls until 1981.

In 1981 Sister was missioned to Collier Services in Wickatunk, NJ. In 1987 Sister Bernadetta felt called to a more contemplative way of life and after a period of discernment, transferred to the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd where she has been a Contemplative sister for the past 39 years.

In 2004 Sister Bernadetta was missioned to Good Shepherd Center. continuing her work of prayer and service as a Contemplative Sister in the Marlborough, MA community. Sister was the receptionist at Good Shepherd Center for many years and touched countless hearts with her kind and gentle way. Sister faithfully prepared weekly Sunday liturgies and served as sacristan for daily Mass. Sister Bernadetta died as she lived, with grace, gentleness and great peace.

Sister is survived by many loving and faithful nieces and nephews and their families.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Bernadetta on Monday November 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthias Church on Hemenway Street in Marlborough and a viewing at 9:30. Burial will follow at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough. www.collinsfuneral.com Expressions of sympathy in Sister Bernadetta’s memory may be made to the Good Shepherd Retirement Fund, 420 Hemenway Street, Suite 466, Marlborough, MA 01752.

The Sisters of the Good Shepherd were founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier in Angers, France in 1835, in the United States (Louisville, KY) in 1843, and in Boston in 1867.