Sister Rosina Marie Bechard

Sister Rosina Marie Bechard, FCSCJ (Sister Lucy Marie)

It was with sad hearts that we received the news of the passing of Sister Rosina Bechard on August 3, 2025, at the Warde Assisted Living Center in Windham, NH. Sister was called back to her loving God after a life of faithful, loving service as a Daughter of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for 66 years, Rosina Marie Bechard was born on January 9, 1939, in Champlain (Coopersville), NY. 

She was predeceased by her father, Oscar Francis Bechard of Champlain, NY, her mother, Rita Rosina Bechard (Trudeau) of Champlain, NY, a brother, Oscar Henry Bechard, and a sister, Carol Ann Wallett.

She is survived by a brother, Carl (Mary) Bechard of Yuma, AZ, a sister, Jeannine (Richard) Golden of The Villages, FL, a stepbrother, William (Kathy) Bechard of the Villages, FL, a brother-in-law, Bob Wallett, as well as nieces and nephews.

Sister Rosina was a woman of deep faith; she was drawn to a Congregation whose core mission is, “To make the Sacred Heart known and loved,” by trying to bring love and tenderness to the world through our human actions. The heart became the favorite symbol of her life. Sister’s qualities of compassion, simplicity, joy brought her mission to life. As she often said, “I am so happy, and I know I am where I need to be.” The fruit of her labors is the affirmation of her many students and adults alike, as well as her varied services to God’s people, her family and her sisters in community.

Professionally, Sister Rosina received a Master’s Degree of Arts and Religious Studies, at Providence College, a Bachelor of Arts in English on Secondary level at College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY, a Graduate Certificate in Ministry Development with a concentration in Spiritual Studies at Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. In more recent years, Sister Rosina also received a Master’s in Spirituality and an Advanced Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Weston Theological Union in Cambridge, MA. During her years in the Boston area, she resided with the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in Brighton, many of whom became dear friends.

She used her education well in her varied fields of service. Her missions were mainly in education at both elementary and high school levels, and later, co-director of the Deanery Catechetical Center, in Newport, VT. Sister Rosina also served as spiritual director at the Berakah Spiritual Renewal Center (Sisters of Holy Cross) in Pittsfield, NH, as well as offering her spiritual direction services in Milford, NH and Brighton, MA.

Sister Rosina served her Congregation in local and Provincial Leadership and in the spiritual formation of our Sisters, and during spiritual retreats throughout the USA Province. In 1987-1989, Sister volunteered to go to our Province of the Republic of South Africa, in Kwazulu-Natal, where she tutored our young Sisters preparing for their high school equivalency. Sister also gave retreats and days of reflection throughout the Province.

We wish to extend our special thanks and appreciation to the staff at the Warde Assisted Living Center at Windham, NH for the excellent and compassionate care given to Sister Rosina while in
their care.

As we continue to grieve the loss of Sister Rosina, we keep in mind her very words spoken many times: “In a life of faith there is no such thing as coincidence. It’s providence.” Sister Rosina,
we will try to keep this in mind as you now enjoy the full embrace of our God, telling you, “Come to Me and enjoy your eternity of a life filled with love and peace.”

A Mass of Resurection will be celebrated on August 16, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Saint Rose of Lima Church, 77 Clay St., Littleton, NH 03561 Burial will take place at a later date in Saint Mary Cemetery, Newport, VT. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Sister Rosina Bechard may be made to the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 226 Grove St. Littleton, NH 03561
 

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