Obituary of Sr. Mary Alice Belair

Born:   Mary Alice Belair on September 15, 1931 in Lowell, MA.

Died:    Tuesday, April 03, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

Daughter of William and Rose LaBelle Belair of Lowell, MA.

Sister Mary was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1955, and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1962.  Sister faithfully lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany for more than 60 years. 

Sister received her education in the public school system in Lowell, MA.  She attended St. Elizabeth Teacher College in Allegany, NY, (now part of St. Bonaventure University) earning her B.S. in Education in 1971.  She received her M.S. in Home Economics Education in 1977 from Framingham State College, Framingham, MA and took post graduate Theology courses at St. Michael College in Winooski, VT. 

Sister Mary began her ministry in education as a teacher at St. Anne School in Winston Salem, NC.  Throughout her career in education, Sister Mary taught in Congregational schools in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina.  In 1980, she served as Department Chair of Home Economics at Bishop Verot High School in Ft. Myers, FL.  In 1993, after retiring from teaching, Sister served as a clerk at St. Joseph Hospital, working part time.  In 2002, Sr. Mary retired and spent her time making handmade items and doing crafts for others enjoyment.  In 2009, she moved to St. Elizabeth Convent, Tampa, FL where she officially retired and in January of 2017 returned home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

Sister Mary is predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Dorothy Therrien and Pauline Iverson, two brothers, George Belair and Thomas Belair.  She is survived by two sisters, Pearl Benoit and Jeannette Poulin and many nieces and nephews.

A Wake Service is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018 in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 6, 2018 in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York.

The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.   (For obituary and condolences, visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.)