Obituary of Sister Cecile Bastien

SISTER CECILE BASTIEN The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, Canada, announce the death of our dear Sr. Cecile at home in our Care Centre on August 2, 2014. Born in 1928, she has been a member of the Congregation for 60 years. Lovingly remembered by her Sisters in community, her siblings and their spouses: Father Linus, Alphonse, (Irene) Bénéteau, Priscilla (Hector Jr.), Leonard, Jeannette and Tony Vandersteen, Ovide and Danielle, Gerald and Paula. She will be missed by her 32 nieces and nephews, 10 step-nieces and nephews, over 80 grand nieces and nephews, Aunt Laura, and her many dear cousins. Predeceased by parents, Hector and Evelyn (Bénéteau), sister Irene, sister Frances Ann Brooks and brother-in-law Art, brother Hector Jr. and sisters-in-law Georgina and Lynn. Trained as an elementary school teacher Sr. Cecile, also known as Sr. Francis Linus, taught in a number of Windsor schools between 1949 and 1986. She received her B.A. from the University of Windsor and Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University. Surrounded with the love of music in her family home Sr. Cecile pursued studies in piano, theory and harmony. These skills gave her a good foundation to achieve a Vocal Music Supervisor Certificate in 1960 and to accompany the Sisters congregational song at the organ for liturgies at Holy Rosary Convent. On retiring from teaching Sr. Cecile continued in the path of love and dedication: a frequent visitor to residents at the Chronic Care Hospital, Malden Park in Windsor; a faithful volunteer for fourteen years at St. Bernard's School; and a veritable angel for her family in times of crisis and need, especially for her mom and dad in their final years. In 2007 she moved to London to live among and pray with her Sisters in community. With tender hearts we thank God for Cecile's presence among us, and for the compassionate care provided to her by our Care Centre staff. All services will be held at the Sisters Residence, 485 Windermere Rd. Visitation: Monday, August 4, 2:00 pm -4:30 pm; Prayers at 6:30pm followed by visitation till 8:30pm. Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, August 5, at 11:00 am. preceded by visitation 10:00am-11:00 am. Burial at St. Peter's Cemetery. (John T. Donohue Funeral Home)