Sister Mary (Adriette) Rochefort, OSB, 75, died February 9, 2016 at St. Scholastica Monastery. Born in Escanaba, Michigan on September 13, 1940, she was the daughter of Ami and Mabel (Robere) Rochefort. Sister was in her 55th year of Monastic Profession.
One of fifteen children, Mary developed very early in life the skills of organization, compromise, generosity and being in relationship with others. These skills were to become the hallmark of her religious and professional life in later years, along with a sense of humor that brought much joy to those around her. After graduating from Holy Name High School in Escanaba, she entered St. Scholastica Monastery on September 8, 1958. She celebrated her First Profession on July 11, 1960, her Perpetual Profession on July 11, 1963, her Silver Jubilee in August, 1985, and her Gold Jubilee on July 11, 2010.
In 1970, Sister Mary earned a BA in Education from The College of St. Scholastica and an MA in Private School Leadership from St. Thomas College, St. Paul. She also held certification in Pastoral Studies, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. She took additional classes in Monastic Studies at St. John’s University, Collegeville.
Sister Mary began her forty year ministry in Elementary Education as a teacher at Assumption School, Hibbing. From there she taught at Our Lady of Victory, Minneapolis, St. Mary’s School, Pine City, St Joseph’s School, Grand Rapids, and St. John’s School, Duluth. She continued her educational ministry as Principal at St. Leo’s School, Hibbing, at St. Anthony’s School, St. Cloud, and at St. Joseph’s School, Grand Rapids. In 1989 Sister Mary was selected to participate in the National Academy for Catholic School Principals in Washington, D.C.
Aside from her service in Elementary Education, Sister Mary also served as Initial Formation Director in the Monastery and was the Associate Vice President for Mission Integration at The College of St. Scholastica for 15 years, sharing Benedictine heritage and values with faculty, staff and students. She served on the Boards of The College of St. Scholastica, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Brainerd, and Clearwater Valley and St. Mary’s Hospitals, Idaho.
Sister Mary’s genuine love of God and her Benedictine community was enhanced by her tour of the Holy Land in 1995 and her pilgrimage to her Benedictine roots in Italy, especially Subiaco and Monte Cassino in 2013. She was accompanied on both trips by Sister Clare Marie Trettel.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Leon, Leslie, Norman, Stanley, Eli, and Ivan; her sisters Evelyn (Perry), Stella (Plante), Betty Jean, and Rose (Castine). Besides the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery she is survived by her brother Dick, sisters Ellen (McGuire), Lorna (Cutler), and Ione (Collins) and numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and associates.
The Wake Service/Morning Prayer was held on February 13, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m., Reverend Charles Flynn, Presider. Burial was at Gethsemane Cemetery. Arrangements were by Dougherty Funeral Home. Memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery are preferred.