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Sister Cecile attending one our lawn & bake sales for her work in The Dominican RepublicCecile Marie Smith
Sister Cecile Smith, Religious Hospitaller of St. Joseph, went to her eternal resting place on November 18, 2015. She was born in Berkshire, Vermont on February 1, 1931 to Ferdina and Mary (Larose) Smith who predeceased her as well as her brothers Armand, Gerard, Raymond, Lawrence and sisters Rose West and Mary Jane Mayhew.
Besides her sisters in religion, Sister Cecile is survived by her sisters Simone Frechette of Winooski, Theresa (Wellington) Towle of St. Albans, Annette (Francois) Montagne of St. Albans, Maria (Donald) Ploof of Mansfield, MA, Sisters in law, Shirley Smith of Cicero, NY, Clara Demers of Deland, FL, Kathy Smith of St. Albans and several nieces and nephews.
She received her basic education at St Mary's High School in St. Albans and entered the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph in Burlington in 1949. She made her first profession at Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital in 1951 and final profession in Montreal in 1954. She completed her nursing program at Jeanne Mance School of Nursing in Burlington in 1956.
Sister Cecile was proficient in pediatric nursing, serving as supervisor of the Pediatric Department at the DeGoesbriand Hospital where she was remembered with much gratitude and affection by the families of critically ill children. She was assigned to Notre Dame Hospital in Biddeford, Maine for 6 years prior to her assignment to the Dominican Republic serving the children and poor families for 38 years with her "can do" skills, trusting that with God, all things are possible! She assisted in establishing a Rehab Center, two nursing homes, eye and diabetic clinics, recruiting health care staff and specialists from the Burlington hospitals as well as in Canada and the United States. The MOVE program from St. Michael's College and the Associates of the Religious Hospitallers continue to provide volunteer services in that area.
Her nursing, as well as fund raising skills, enthusiasm and energy were recognized by religious and charitable organizations in Ocoa, which assisted in providing financial support and enhancements for the work being done in those poverty stricken areas. Her gratitude was contagious and inviting!
She returned to the Fanny Allen community at Our Lady of Providence residence in 2010. She truly "left her heart" in the Dominican Republic. She volunteered at the O'Brien Center in Winooski and offered assistance for various functions at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, contributions for the Dominican Republic mission may be sent to the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, 47 West Spring ST, Winooski, Vermont 05404.
Visiting hours for family and friends are Sunday November 22, 2015 at Our Lady of Providence, Winooski, VT from 2:00pm - 4:00pm with a prayer service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 23, 2015 at Our Lady of Providence at 11:00am. Internment will follow at the Fanny Allen Cemetery in Colchester. Arrangements are under the care and direction of LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lavignefuneralhome.com.
