Sister Viola Gautreau

Viola Gautreau, a Sister of St. Anne, known in religious life as Sister Marie Viola was born in New Brunswick, Canada on March 2, 1917, to Frederick and Marie Rose (Cormier) of Lynn, MA.  She completed her Elementary and High School education at St. John the Baptist School in Lynn, MA.  Sister held a B.A. from Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA. 

With encouragement and support from her parents, Viola entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine Quebec in 1943 and pronounced her religious vows in 1945.  She began her teaching career in St. Joseph School, Cohoes, NY, and also taught at Notre Dame du Mt. Carmel, Ware, St. John the Baptist in Lynn and Ludlow, St. Anne Montessori, Marlborough, MA, and St. Matthew in Central Falls, RI.  Sister Viola also worked in Food Service in a few community convents.  Along with her religious service and devotion, Viola also possessed a musical talent: In her youth and beyond, she enjoyed playing the piano.

Sister Marie Viola, died at the age of 91 at Marie Esther Health Center, in Marlborough, MA on Friday, August 22, 2008.  She was in her 63rd year of religious life.

Sister Viola is survived by three sisters: Sr. Lilian Gautreau, SSA, of Marlborough, Sr. Noella Gautreau, SSA of Montreal, QC, Helen Baribeau of North Conway, NH, and two brothers Hervey and his wife, Maria,  of Pomona, CA, and Normand and his wife, Irene,  of Mission, TX , and two sisters-in-law Marian Gautreau, of Anaheim, CA, Jean Gautreau, of Albuquerque, NM, and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
 

The wake will take place at St. Anne Convent, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA on Wednesday, August 27th from 2 to 4:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m.
 

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 28th at 10 a.m. in the Convent chapel with burial in Saint Mary Cemetery, Marlborough.