Sr. Paulette Ducharme Obituary (1947 - 2024)

Waterville—Sister Paulette Anne Ducharme, OSU, died peacefully on May 25, 2024, in Waterville, Maine. She was 76. The daughter of Raymond J. and Yvette (Letourneau) Ducharme, she was born on June 8, 1947, in Brunswick, Maine. She entered the Ursuline community on Sept. 10, 1967, and professed her vows on March 15, 1970. She earned a bachelor’s degree in scripture and a bachelor of fine arts degree from Emmanuel College in Boston. She earned a master’s degree in spirituality and a master’s degree in education administration from Boston College, where she also studied spiritual direction and hospital chaplaincy. Sister Paulette was a teacher, principal, hospital chaplain, retreat director and author. She also held many Ursuline leadership positions, including as a provincial councilor and superior in the Northeastern Province. She taught at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, Massachusetts, from 1974-76 and at Mount Merici Academy in Waterville from 1976-80. She was principal of Mount Merici from 1980-88. She was program director for Catholic Charities in Maine from 2000-02, chaplain for Maine General Medical Center in Augusta from 2002-06, and chaplain for Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 2006-09. Upon returning to Waterville in 2009, Sister Paulette served as director of pastoral care for Mount St. Joseph. She also was a volunteer chaplain at Oak Grove Center for many years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Ducharme. Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 7, in the cemetery at St. Angela Way in Waterville. A Mass will be offered in Lewiston at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 or Ursuline Sisters, 1 St. Angela Way, Waterville, Maine 04901.