Sr. Mary Stephanie Frenette

Sister M. Stephanie Frenette, 84, of Plattsburgh peacefully took the hand of the Lord on November 3, 2025.

Sr. Stephanie was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 11, 1941. Her birth name was Barbara Ann, and she was the oldest of 3 children born to Irene and Arthur Frenette, whose roots were from Mooers Forks, NY and Winooski, VT. For the first 16 years of her life, Barbara Ann (Sr. Stephanie) lived in Detroit and Royal Oak, Michigan. For her senior year of high school, she attended the prep school at Dominican Academy in Fall River, MA.

In 1959, at the age of 18, Sr. Stephanie decided to enter the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in Fall River, MA. During the next 3 years of postulancy and novitiate, she also taught at Dominican Academy as well as began her pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree at Providence College during the summers.

In 1962, Sr. Stephanie was assigned to St. Peter's School in Plattsburgh, NY. Following her time as a classroom teacher, she also taught religious education in multiple parishes in the North Country, including Altona, Chateaugay, Chazy, Ellenburg, Mooers, Mooers Forks, Sciota and West Chazy.

In 1972, Sr. Stephanie was transferred to teach at St. Bernadette's School in New Haven, CT for 5 years. She then returned to St. Peter's School in 1977, continuing to teach for many more years in first grade, 2nd grade and Pre-K. In fact, Sr. Stephanie actually taught every grade level from Pre-K to grade 12, either in School classroom teaching or in Religious/Catechetical programs. One of her greatest contributions to thousands of children was teaching them to read and sharing her love of God through her catechetical programs. She was also well known for wanting to take the most difficult and/or challenged children in her classroom.

After teaching, she became a home health aide for a few years, until medical issues forced her to retire.

Along with her congregational responsibilities as Infirmarian, she also served as a Hospice volunteer, a Eucharistic Minister at St. Peter's and a multi-year traveler and Leadership Team member of the North Country Mission of Hope.

In 1995, Sr. Stephanie, along with hundreds of her Dominican Sisters, became a founding member of her present Congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Hope.

Among her many interests, she loved to travel, (preferably by car so she could "see more"), loved to go on Mission to Nicaragua where she had a strong commitment to the disabled orphans, was a wonderful listener and loved hearing from her past students. Her greatest and most cherished moments were when she was with children.

Sr. Stephanie was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Irene (Snide) Frenette, her nephew Shawn Watson and her niece, Aimee Frenette. She is survived by her brother Larry Frenette, sister Joan Koson, nieces Heather Frenette, Michele Page and family, her nephew Michael Watson and family, and several grand and great grand nieces and nephews. Sr. Stephanie is also survived by her fellow Dominican Sisters of Hope including Sr. Debbie Blow, her lifelong soul friend and Sr. Debbie's family who loved Sr. Stephanie as their own.

Donations in Sr. Stephanie's memory may be made to North Country Mission of Hope or to the Dominican Sisters of Hope.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 7th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Terry LaValley on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Church in Plattsburgh.

A memorial mass and burial will take place at the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY on November 18th at 11:00 a.m.

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the R.W. Walker Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY.

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