Sister Shirley Ann Boucher

MOBILE, Ala. - Former Great Falls resident Sister Shirley Ann Boucher, 61, a longtime teacher and member of the Sisters of St. Francis, died Tuesday in Mobile, Ala., of complications from stomach cancer.
Funeral Mass is 10 a.m. Tuesday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Mobile. A memorial service is 4 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester.
Following her lifelong commitment to science and education, she chose to donate her body to science at the University of South Alabama School of Medicine.
Shirley was born in Whitefish, Mont., on Oct. 10, 1947, to James and Martha Marthe. Rose Marie Boucher adopted her Dec. 8, 1947. The family moved to Billings, and then settled in Great Falls during her early childhood. She graduated in 1966 from Great Falls Central High School, where she was active in athletics and band. She attended Marylhurst College in Oregon, while there she became friends with visiting Sisters from Philadelphia. In the summer of 1968, she entered their order, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, because of their strong emphasis on serving the needy and impoverished.
She finished her education at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., after her novitiate year in Philadelphia. She spent the next 20 years as a science and math teacher of junior high students throughout the Northwest and California. Numerous times she was called in to resurrect struggling math and science programs - and had a reputation of succeeding. In 1990, following a lifelong dream, she served as a missionary to Africa for three months. Her hope was to go back on a more permanent basis, but she was unable to because of civil unrest. In 1993, she heard of an inner-city impoverished school that needed a leader. She went to Mobile to teach at Most Pure Heart of Mary School. She has resided there since, serving as science teacher, "hurricane adviser," coach, bus driver and all-around fix-it person.
There was never a dull moment with Sister Shirley, from rounding up a basketball or softball game to playing her harmonica, mouth organ or drums. Her zest for life and propensity for mischief will be missed by all who came in contact with her, whether it was a fellow teacher, student, nephew, niece, uncle or aunt.
Survivors include her two sisters, Sharon (Dick) Harmon of Chester, and Carol (Richard) Acosta of Essex; her biological sister, Sharon Hayes of Arizona; her aunt, Marcella Hull of Chester; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials may be sent to Most Pure Heart of Mary School, 310 Sengstak, Mobile, AL 36603.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.