Sister Vivian Vallee, Maryknoll Sister for 70 Years

Sister Vivian Vallee, Maryknoll Sister for 70 Years Dies
Sister Vivian Vallee, M.M. died on January 25, 2017 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 70 years.

She was born in Northbridge, MA on May 6, 1926 to Sophie (Pote) and Paul Vallee. Both parents have predeceased her; she is survived by two sisters: Sr. M. Cecilia SP (Evelyn) and Mrs. Anne Williams.

Vivian graduated from Northbridge High School in Whitinsville, MA in 1944 and then studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI from 1944-1945. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center on October 5, 1946 from St. Patrick’s Parish in Whitinsville, MA the Diocese of Worcester. At her Reception of the habit she received the religious name Sister Rose Marita. She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center and was assigned to Kyoto, Japan in 1950, where she made her Final Vows on April 6, 1952. From 1960-1964 she attended Maryknoll Teachers Training College in Maryknoll, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree. She also studied Japanese at Columbia University during the summer of 1964 before returning to Japan.

During her years of service in Japan, from 1964 to 1970, Sr. Vivian taught English conversation, did pastoral work and worked in the Sisters vestment making department. She returned to Maryknoll, NY in 1971 for renewal and Congregational Service in the Graphic Arts Department, Housekeeping and the Education Department Library until 1984 after which she was assigned to Bangladesh in South Asia. There she worked in a Christian Pastoral Center and in training of parish lay catechists until 1989. From Bangladesh she first returned to Monrovia, CA and later to Waterbury, CT doing volunteer work until 1999. In 2000, Sr. Vivian returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center and continued to do volunteer work until 2013 when she retired.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Vivian on Monday, January 30 at 4:15 p.m. in the Main Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center. Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.