Marlborough- Sister Yvette Beford, SSA, (Sr. Marie Anne Alma) 98, a Sister of St. Anne died June 17, 2026 at Alliance Health at Marie Esther in Marlborough following a decline in health.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Arthur and Alma (Leclaire) Beford.

Sister Yvette attended Holy Name of Jesus elementary school and high school in Worcester. She was educated by the Sisters of St. Anne and impressed by their commitment to God and the church, she entered the Congregation in 1946 and pronounced vows on July 24, 1948.

Her years of active service in education, retreat and pastoral ministry were lived out in the United States and Canada. Sister Yvette earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Anna Maria College in Paxton a Master’s in Organ Performance from Boston University, an advanced music certification from the Hindemith Institute, Vevey, Switzerland. She also held certifications in spiritual direction and pastoral ministry.

Using her musical gifts, Sister Yvette was a music teacher in Cohoes, New York and in Marlborough, as well as an assistant professor of music at Anna Maria College. She then ministered at LaSalette Shrines in Enfield, NH and Attleboro, where she worked with Fr. Andre Patenaude in retreat/program ministry and created music notation for publication.

In 1983, Sister Yvette joined the Sisters of Saint Anne in British Columbia, Canada. There she served for 20 years in retreat and pastoral ministry, notably in Victoria and, special to her, the missions of Gold River and Tahsis, and later parishes in Penticton and Summerland, all in British Columbia.

Upon returning to the United States in 2003, Sister Yvette served in pastoral and retreat ministry in Saint Anne Parish, Southborough.

All of Sister Yvette’s life events were marked by her total commitment, warm and welcoming personality, and dedication.

Sister Yvette will be grieved and missed by many, especially her sisters in community, and her loving nieces, nephew, grand-nieces and great-grandnephews.

Besides her parents, Sister Yvette is pre-deceased by her five siblings: Rita (Bzdula), Irene (Watson), Arthur, Armand, and Annette.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anne Chapel at Alliance Health at 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough. Visitation will be held prior to the Mass at 10:15 a.m. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Wilson Street, Marlborough. All are invited to sign Sister Yvette’s online guestbook at collinsfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 406 Hemenway St. #30, Marlborough, MA 01752, or to a charity of your choice.