Remembering A Cluny Missionary
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Sister Regina Brunelle, SJC
April 9, 1933 - December 18, 2016 |
Our dear Sister Regina died peacefully at her ministry home, Angela’s Place, in Hamilton, ONT on December 18, 2016. Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, April 9, 1933, Sister Regina entered religious life in Newport, Rhode Island and made her first vows on February 2, 1956.
After profession, Sister Regina was missioned to Cluny School, Newport and then Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia. In 1968 she was sent to Haiti where she taught English in our Secondary School. Her greatest joy was the ministry she did on weekends to the poor, elderly and sick in our dispensary in the hills of Furcy.
After a year in Rome, she returned to the States as Director of Formation from 1975 – 1984 in Newport, RI and Hamilton, ONT. She also served in Pastoral Ministry in St. Joseph’s Parish, Hamilton and Chaplain at St. Peter’s Hospital. In 1985 she began Pre-evangelization out-reach and Pastoral Ministry in Harts, Catholic Mission and Community Outreach in St. Barbara Community, West Virginia. During these years, she also served the Province as Local Leader and on the Provincial Council. She returned to Hamilton in 2003 where she became involved with many of the Good Shepherd services and St. Joseph Parish ministries. In 2008 she began living at Angela’s Place, a residence for single moms and their babies. She loved her ministry of presence, ‘grandmother’, mentor and spiritual companioning. A Cluny Missionary with a big heart, Sister Regina responded generously and completely to the many calls to serve. She had a great laugh, passion for justice, and availability to go wherever there was need.
Predeceased by her parents, Francis Wilfred Brunelle and Olivette Aline Gendron; her beloved sister, Lorraine (Buxton), brother Francis (Sonny) Brunelle and nephew, David Brunelle. Sister Regina is survived by her sister’s children: Michael Buxton of Nashua, NH, Debra Reed of Tucson, AR, Mary Lou McGinnis of Nashua, NH and Tim Buxton of Hudson, NH and her brother’s daughters Lois Weibel and Francine Proctor of Wilton, NH. Her family, friends, Cluny Affiliates, Associates, and the many Cluny Sisters worldwide who have known her rejoice and give thanks for the gift of her life.
