Sr. Simonne LaFlamme

PORTLAND -- Sr. Simonne LaFlamme, (Sr. Mary Mauritia), 85, died on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at St. Joseph's Manor, quietly and peacefully, as she lived.

Sr. Simonne was born on Oct. 30, 1925, to Lida Pouliot and Eugene LaFlamme and entered the Sisters of Mercy from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fairfield, in 1947. She attended schools in Fairfield, graduating from Lawrence High School before receiving a bachelor of science degree in education from St. Joseph's College, Standish, and her master of library science from the University of Maine.

Sr. Simonne began her teaching career at St. Patrick's School, Portland, where she taught kindergarten. She then taught eight years at Holy Cross School, South Portland, teaching in the primary grades. Sr. Simonne also ministered on the three Native American Reserves in Maine: Indian Island, Old Town; Dana Point, Princeton and Pleasant Point, Perry.

In 1969, after more than 20 years of classroom teaching, Sr. Simonne undertook studies in library science. After receiving her degree, she was a reference librarian at St. Joseph's College, Standish, for 11 years. She then went to Catherine McAuley High School, where she was librarian until 2002 and continued to volunteer in the library during her retirement years. Her choice of careers, as a teacher and librarian, were well suited to her scholarly bent and inquisitive mind. Always interested in theology, Sr. Simonne was well-informed in church doctrine and shared this in the RCIA Program at St. Joseph's Parish in Portland for seven years. Sr. Simonne was an avid reader and was rarely without a magazine or book in her hands. She enjoyed a lively discussion, particularly on theology or church issues. Sr. Simonne was a woman of deep faith, always kind and considerate, prayerful and happy. Her motto, "to Jesus through Mary," personally inspired her as she ministered to the needs of those she met.

Sr. Simonne LaFlamme was predeceased by her parents; her sisters, Monica Smedberg, Rachel Michaud, Sr. Bernadette LaFlamme, R.S.M. and Blanche Ioearola. She is survived by two brothers, Claude LaFlamme and wife Edna of Waterloo, Iowa, and Daniel LaFlamme and wife Constance of Fairfield; her sisters, Helen Belanger of Winslow, Theresa Clark of Fairfield, Gemma Theberge of Methuen, Mass., and Blandine Alvey and husband Charles of Birmingham, Ala. Sr. Simonne is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.

A wake will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Convent, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland. The wake will continue on Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. with a Mass of Christian burial at 4:30 p.m. The main celebrant for the concelebrated Mass will be the Rev. William Clark, S.J., Sr. Simonne's nephew. Burial will occur on Thursday at 8 a.m. in New Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Sisters of Mercy Ministry and Retirement Fund may be made in her memory. The address is Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864.

Please visit www.jones richandhutchins.com for more information and to sign Sr. LaFlamme's guestbook.