Sister Yvonne Arcand Csc

Sister Yvonne Arcand, CSC
(Sister M. Judith Clare)
May 5, 1935 – February 4, 2025
Entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross from Brookline, Massachusetts, on August 1, 1953
Initial Profession of Vows on August 15, 1956
According to a former colleague, Sister Yvonne Arcand was sweet but determined, and "you ignore her at your own peril." Her tenacious personality and gifts allowed her to become a consecrated woman religious for 68 years. An energetic and enthusiastic Holy Cross educator for 57 years, she died on February 4, 2025, at Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame.
Yvonne Anita Arcand was raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, a town just outside of Boston. She was a true, strong-willed Bostonian, with an accent that never faded throughout her life. She had one older brother, Richard, and three younger brothers, Edgar Jr., James, and Robert. She was quite active as a child, and loved her ballet and ice-skating lessons. A year before Yvonne was due to enter high school, the Sisters of the Holy Cross opened Holy Cross Academy in Brookline. Her parents, Edgar and Harriet (Brown) Arcand, wanted her to receive a Catholic education, so Yvonne was a part of one of the first classes to walk through the doors of Holy Cross Academy. As a young girl, it was clear that her Holy Cross teachers made an impression on her. She once said, "I was just so impressed with their way of being who they are – the gift of hospitality, bringing love into the hearts of people." As she approached her high school graduation in 1953, she discerned her vocation. Yvonne entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, on August 1, 1953. Upon reception of the holy Habit one year later, she became Sister Mary Judith Clare.
As Sister Judith Clare, she taught in parish elementary schools with other Holy Cross sisters in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and Texas for 12 years. In addition to teaching the first grade at St. Joseph School, Marshall, Texas, from 1962 to 1968, she also directed the children's choir. She returned to her baptismal name in 1967, once customs changed. In 1968, Sister Yvonne graduated from Dunbarton College of Holy Cross, Washington, D.C., with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She continued to teach from the end of the 1960's and throughout the 1970's at Catholic elementary schools in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.
In 1979, Sister Yvonne began serving in leadership roles. She was the principal of Blessed Sacrament School, Alexandria, Virginia until 1988, as well as the director of the school's early childhood center. At the center, she was passionate about instilling confidence into the children as early as possible. "We try to give the young children a good sense of themselves," she once said. "So when they come to kindergarten, they are not afraid of school and they have a good feeling of self-worth You cannot help a child learn if he does not have the self-confidence." She earned a master's degree in early childhood education from Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1980. Towards the end of this assignment, Sister Yvonne assumed responsibilities for vocation ministry for the Congregation's eastern region until 1988 to pursue a second master's degree at Loyola University, Chicago, this time majoring in pastoral studies. After earning this degree in 1990, she continued her education ministry in Florida. She was assigned to New Life Dwelling Place, Thonotosassa, a home and learning center for mothers and children who were victims of abuse; and Sacred Heart School, Tampa, where she was a kindergarten teacher and coordinator of the religion program.
Sister Yvonne remained in Florida for another 22 years. From 1993 to 2002, she was a part-time teacher and religion coordinator for kindergarten through eighth grade at the Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa. She was also the school's pastoral minister until 2000. Towards the end of her time at the academy, she became the director and teacher at Holy Cross Catholic Preschool and Center, West Palm Beach. In addition to teaching faith development to children aged three and four, she was also the religion and liturgy coordinator for parents, teachers, and staff. Her love for her young students was evident from the vibrant smile that was always on her face when she was around them. Since the preschool's inception and up until Sister Yvonne's retirement in 2015, she had been a valuable sister presence and was missed after her departure.
Since 2015, Sister Yvonne had been living in community at the motherhouse at Saint Mary's. In addition to a ministry of prayer and presence, she lent her strong voice to the Church of Our Lady of Loretto choir, and occasionally helped with the stamp ministry. Sale of canceled stamps benefitted apostolates outside the United States. It was said she could spend time and form a bond with anyone, whether they be college-aged adults or pre-school children. Sister Yvonne's social personality led her to becoming a loyal member of the Friends with Sisters club at Saint Mary's College for several years. Her health limited her ability to enjoy these activities during the last years of her life, but her love for being in the company of others sustained her. She has now joined her parents, brothers Richard and Robert, and many other Sisters of the Holy Cross in heaven. May Sister Yvonne be at peace in God's embrace.
Services will be held at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto on Thursday, February 20, 2025, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Prayers and memento at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of the Resurrection. See Sisters of the Holy Cross website for details. Kaniewski Funeral Home is assisting.
-Written by Madisen Toth, Archivist
Sisters of the Holy Cross Archives and Records
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Sister Yvonne Arcand, CSC (Sister M. Judith Clare), please visit our floral store.