Diana Gagnon

Mount Sacred Heart, Littleton, NH -- Sister Diana Gagnon (St.-Fernand), FCSCJ – known as Sister Fernand, passed away at Holy Cross Health Care Center in Manchester, NH, on Saturday, September 2, 2017 after a long illness. She had resided with the Mount Sacred Heart Community in Littleton, NH, since 1986. Sister Fernand was born in St. Hubert-de-Spaulding, QC, on March 23, 1922, to Archelas and Marie- Anne (Breton) Gagnon. She entered the Congregation of the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (FCSCJ) in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1940 and professed her vows on July 28, 1942. Her missions included culinary art, with some sewing and housekeeping in Plattsburgh, NY, Colebrook, NH, August, ME, Newport, VT, and Littleton, NH.

Sister Fernand is survived by her sisters Rita, Gilberte Grenier, Beatrice Richard, Yvette Rodrigue, Marie-Claire, and Denise Boucher; several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; many nieces and nephews on both sides of the border, and her Sisters in religion. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings: Aurore, Yvonne, Edward, Fernand, Lucien, Roland, and Guy.

Sister Fernand was dear to her family, her colleagues in work environment, and her religious family. She was an accomplished cook, but most especially an exquisite baker for nearly 60 years of her life. Her confectionary skills nurtured many fans and cookie monsters among boarding and day students in school settings (Our Lady of Grace and Sacred Heart), not to mention the Sisters who always looked forward to her special way of marking feasts and birthdays with her classic special jelly rolls, cakes, pies, and cookies. Her even and gentle demeanor were the hallmark of her life, no matter with whom she found herself or what the situation.

The Sisters wish to express much gratitude to the staff at Mount Sacred Heart for their many kindnesses to Sr. Fernand throughout her years in Littleton. Also, special thanks to the staff at Holy Cross Health Care Center in Manchester for their attentiveness to Sister Fernand these past several weeks.

Prayer Service while receiving the body at Mount Sacred Heart Chapel on Thursday, September 7 at 8:30 a.m. Viewing hours beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at Mount Sacred Heart Chapel with Rev. Mark Dollard presiding. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in St. Mary Cemetery in Newport, VT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 226 Grove Street, Littleton, NH 03561.

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