Sr. Adrienne DeChamplain

Sister Adrienne DeChamplain (Sr. Adrienne Elise) SUSC died November 6, 2024, at Marian Manor in Taunton, at the age of one-hundred and two. Born in Taunton on May 13, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Albertine (Beaulieu) DeChamplain. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her cousin, Sister Laurette DeChamplain SUSC, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Her sisters Irene Boutin, Marie DeChamplain, Pauline Hall, Bernadette Hamlin, Theresa Leonard, and Albea Milot predeceased her. At the time of her death, Sr. Adrienne was the oldest living Holy Union Sister in the United States.

Sr. Adrienne graduated from St. Mary High School, Taunton and entered the Holy Union Sisters on September 17, 1939. She pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1947. She received a B.S. in Education from Stonehill College, an M.A. in Sacred Sciences from Providence College and a PhD. in Religious Studies from the University of Ottawa. Before beginning doctoral studies, Sr. Adrienne took courses in Judaism and participated in archeological projects in Israel.

For over thirty years, she taught elementary grades in parish school staffed by the Holy Union Sisters in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. She then moved to religious education and served as Director of Religious Education in parishes in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. She later taught religious studies at Coyle and Cassidy High School, Taunton.

Sr. Adrienne retired from formal education in 1987 and devoted her time to adult education giving Scripture Courses in area parishes, and to senior groups. She provided spiritual support to the Third Order Franciscans in New Bedford and Taunton.

Sr. Adrienne joined the Holy Union Sisters Community at Prosper Fall River in 2007. Declining health necessitated a move to Marian Manor in 2020. At Marian Manor in September Sr. Adrienne was joined by her Holy Union Sisters to celebrate her eighty-fifth jubilee.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Riendeau-Mulvey Funeral Home, Taunton, Ma. A wake will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 9:00-9:40AM at St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 249 Whittenton St. Taunton, Ma. The Memorial Prayer will take place at 9:40am, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am. All relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private.

Donations in Sr. Adrienne’s memory may be made to the Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office, 205 Bedford St. Fall River MA 02720 or at https://www.holyunionsisters.org/