Parochial school educator and administrator was known for her warm hospitality and attention to detail
Sister Cecile Bouchard, RSM (Sr. Mary Leo), 95, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt., on March 24, 2025. Sr. Cecile was born in Burlington, Vt., on August 26, 1929, the daughter of Jeanne (Simard) and George Leo Bouchard. She attended Nazareth School and was a graduate of Cathedral High School. She received her BS in business from Trinity College in Burlington and an MS in education and administration at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester. Sr. Cecile entered the Sisters of Mercy on August 15, 1948, and professed her vows on August 19, 1951. She taught and served in parochial school education for several years throughout the state of Vermont: at Cathedral High School and Christ the King School in Burlington, St. Michael’s School in Montpelier, St. Monica’s School in Barre, and Rice High School in South Burlington. Sister held administrative roles as principal of St. Monica’s School for eight years, principal of Christ the King School for 12 years, and business teacher and administrative director at Rice High School for 19 years. She also served her community in local leadership roles for many years. Until her recent illness, Sr. Cecile was active throughout her life. Some of her interests and activities included decorating for special celebrations and holidays, serving as sacristan, sewing projects, dusting and cleaning, organizing gatherings, and outdoor walking. We all benefited from her attention to detail. Many visitors and guests experienced Sr. Cecile’s warm hospitality at Mount Saint Mary and Our Lady of Providence and previously as innkeeper at Camp Marycrest. Her artistic talent emerged as she joined the weekly painting classes offered by the Sisters of Mercy. She is survived by her brothers Raymond “Leonard” Bouchard (Claire) and Brother Fred Bouchard, S.C.; sister-in-law, Patty Bouchard; and by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy. She was predeceased by her parents, Jeanne (Simard) and George Leo Bouchard; brothers Jerome Bouchard, Brother Adrian Bouchard, S.C., and Daniel Bouchard; and sisters, Mariette (Bouchard) Martin and Sister Claire Bouchard, RSM. We extend our prayers and deepest gratitude to the caring staff at Our Lady of Providence, the University of Vermont hospice team, the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House and her doctors, for their loving care of Sister Cecile. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, 2025, 11 a.m., in…
Parochial school educator and administrator was known for her warm hospitality and attention to detail
Sister Cecile Bouchard, RSM (Sr. Mary Leo), 95, of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, died at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt., on March 24, 2025. Sr. Cecile was born in Burlington, Vt., on August 26, 1929, the daughter of Jeanne (Simard) and George Leo Bouchard. She attended Nazareth School and was a graduate of Cathedral High School. She received her BS in business from Trinity College in Burlington and an MS in education and administration at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester. Sr. Cecile entered the Sisters of Mercy on August 15, 1948, and professed her vows on August 19, 1951. She taught and served in parochial school education for several years throughout the state of Vermont: at Cathedral High School and Christ the King School in Burlington, St. Michael’s School in Montpelier, St. Monica’s School in Barre, and Rice High School in South Burlington. Sister held administrative roles as principal of St. Monica’s School for eight years, principal of Christ the King School for 12 years, and business teacher and administrative director at Rice High School for 19 years. She also served her community in local leadership roles for many years. Until her recent illness, Sr. Cecile was active throughout her life. Some of her interests and activities included decorating for special celebrations and holidays, serving as sacristan, sewing projects, dusting and cleaning, organizing gatherings, and outdoor walking. We all benefited from her attention to detail. Many visitors and guests experienced Sr. Cecile’s warm hospitality at Mount Saint Mary and Our Lady of Providence and previously as innkeeper at Camp Marycrest. Her artistic talent emerged as she joined the weekly painting classes offered by the Sisters of Mercy. She is survived by her brothers Raymond “Leonard” Bouchard (Claire) and Brother Fred Bouchard, S.C.; sister-in-law, Patty Bouchard; and by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy. She was predeceased by her parents, Jeanne (Simard) and George Leo Bouchard; brothers Jerome Bouchard, Brother Adrian Bouchard, S.C., and Daniel Bouchard; and sisters, Mariette (Bouchard) Martin and Sister Claire Bouchard, RSM. We extend our prayers and deepest gratitude to the caring staff at Our Lady of Providence, the University of Vermont hospice team, the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House and her doctors, for their loving care of Sister Cecile. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, 2025, 11 a.m., in…