Sr. Carmen Lee Samson Obituary (1930 - 2012)

Sister Carmen Samson, CSJ Sister Marie Monique 1930 - 2012 Sister Carmen Samson, CSJ, 81, died peacefully July 18, 2012 at Mount St. Joseph in Waterville. She was born July 28, 1930 in Lewiston the daughter of the late Wenceslas and Roseanna Fecteau Samson. She attended St. Mary's School in Lewiston and Sacred Heart Academy in Jackman where she graduated. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon Feb. 2, 1950 and took her final vows in 1957. In 1952 Sr. Carmen attended St. Mary's General Hospital School of Nursing in Lewiston where she received her degree in 1955. As an RN she served at Murtha Memorial Hospital in Jackman for ten years and then became the Director of Nurses at Mount St. Joseph in Waterville for another ten years. In 1976 she attended St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Canada for a year in theology and pursued a study in CPE Clinical Pastoral Education. In 1981 she enrolled at St. Joseph's College in Standish where she received a BSPA and then worked for Home Health in Winslow. In 1986 she went to Concordia, Coyila, Mexico where she ministered to the sick and elderly and taught English to the Mexicans. She also served in Apaseo El Grande where a new mission was established, San Jose de la Esperanza, which became the home of undocumented immigrants from Guatemala. Upon her return to the United States because of health problems, she worked at the Augusta Mental Health Institute for 11 years as a Psychiatric Nurse. She retired from active duty in 2001. At that time she lived with Marie-Louis LaChance, CSJ associate and loyal friend. She moved to Fontbonne Community at Mount St. Joseph in 2004. She is survived by several cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. She was predeceased by three sisters, Evelyne, Simonne and Fernande; two brothers, Armand and Lionel. The Sisters of Saint Joseph wish to express their gratitude to the Nursing Staff at Mount St. Joseph for the love and outstanding care they provided Sr. Carmen. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund, 93 Halifax St., Winslow, ME 04901. Friends may call Sunday, July 22 from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 23 at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. Committal prayers and burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.