BIDDEFORD — Sister Claire Pelletier, 91, formerly known as Sister Marie Eva, died at St. Joseph Convent on July 1, 2016.

Sister Claire was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, on Oct. 26, 1924, to Francois Xavier Pelletier and Eva Ouellette Pelletier. Sister Claire was the sixth child in a family of 12 children. She received her elementary and secondary education at St. Theresa School in Methuen.

On Aug. 25, 1944, Sister Claire entered the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as the Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec, in Biddeford. After her initial formation in religious life, she studied one year at the Mother House in Quebec. From there, she began her teaching career in northern Maine and in Lawrence and Methuen, Massachusetts, and also in Biddeford.

Sister Claire earned her B.A. in education from St. Joseph College, Standish. Her graduate studies in library science were done at Villanova University, Pennsylvania. She worked in the libraries of several high schools, including Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and in the Bay View Convent library, where she also served as province archivist.

Upon the closure of Bay View Convent in 2008, she was transferred to St. Joseph Convent, where she continued to serve as community archivist.

Sister Claire is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mary Gaudette of Methuen, Massachusetts. She also has many nephews and nieces.

Visiting hours are 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at St. Joseph Convent, 409 Pool St., Biddeford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Convent at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Biddeford.

Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.


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