WATERVILLE – Sr. Aline Roy, known to some as Sr. Christine Marie, died at Mount Joseph, Waterville, on Sept. 14 at the age of 89, 68 of which she lived as a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon. She was born the 12th of 13 children to Philippe and Eugenie Roy of St. Georges, Quebec, Canada on June 5, 1934. She recalled her parents as ‘people who taught religious values through example rather than words’ and this left its mark on how she lived her life and faith.

After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in Jackman in 1953, and inspired by the example of her older sister Marcelle, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon in Auburn, making her first vows in August of 1955.

In over 60 years of active ministry, she served not only all over Maine, but around the world as well. She taught school or worked in religious education or pastoral care at St. Rose of Lima, Chisholm; Sacred Heart, Auburn; Holy Family, Lewiston; St. Mary of Lourdes, Lincoln; St. Anne, Danforth; St. Margaret, Old Orchard Beach; St. Francis of Assisi, Belfast; St John the Baptist, Winslow; St. Agnes, Pittsfield; St. James, Baileyville; and St. Kateri, Calais.

In the 1960’s, feeling personally challenged by the civil rights movement, she transferred to Benin, Africa, where for 9 years she provided religious and vocational education and did pastoral ministry. In the 1990’s, with attention on the rights and realities of immigrants, she spent three years serving immigrants and visiting female prisoners in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and Laredo, Texas.

Her last place of active ministry was in Down East Maine. She visited the sick and shut-ins, provided religious education to Passamaquoddy children, and was involved in local interfaith anti-poverty efforts. She was well known in many parishes for the creative and meaningful ‘Living Stations of the Cross’ she organized each Palm Sunday. It thus seems fitting that she died on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. Visitation will be at Notre Dame one hour prior to the Mass. A reception will follow at the Notre Dame Parish Hall. She will be buried at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Waterville.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers,

memorial donations for the ministry of the sisters may

be made to:

the Sisters of Saint Joseph

80 Garland Rd.

Winslow ME 04901

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