Sr. Marie-Oliva csj,nee Emilienne Champagne

Waterville Sr. Marie-Oliva, csj, nee Emilienne Champagne, died Wed., Apr. 1, 2009 at Mount St. Joseph in Waterville. She was born Apr. 28, 1907 in St. Martin, Beauce, PQ, Canada, the daughter of Gedeon and Olivine Roy Champagne. She was educated in St. Martin at St. Anthony in Jackman and at LaMennais College in Alfred. Sr. Marie-Oliva entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Lyons, France in 1923 and served at the Creche St. Bernard until she returned to Maine in 1926. She taught at St. Michael, So. Berwick; St. Ann, Dexter; Sacred Heart, Auburn; St. John, Winslow and retired in 1991. She became a member of Fontbonne Community at Mount S. Joseph in Waterville in 1995. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Aline Corriveau and one brother, Henry Champagne and wife Anne of Jackman; several nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grandnieces. She was predeceased by her sisters, Laudia Champagne and Yvonne McDade, and brother, Paul Champagne and sister-in-law, Germaine and brother-in-law, Raymond Corriveau. The Sisters of St. Joseph express their sincere gratitude to the personnel and nursing staff of Mount St. Joseph and to the Beacon Hospice nurses for the love and selfless care they gave Sr. Marie Oliva. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Thurs. Apr. 2, 2009 at the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Fri., Apr. 3 at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. Committal prayers and burial will be at a later date in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Jackman. In lieu of flowers donations in Sister's memory may be sent to the Ministry Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 93 Halifax St., Winslow, ME 04901.