Sr. Louise Ella Dufour, 93, Jaunary 23, 1932 - February 27, 2025, Sr. Victor Marie de l'Eucharistie

Known in religious life as Sr. Victor Marie de l'Eucharistie, Sr. Louise Ella Dufour, 93, was 73 years professed and spent her years of ministry as a dedicated educator. Sr. Louise was called to her heavenly home on Thursday, February 27, 2025, shortly after a visit from Sr. Mary Stiefvater and Sr. Anne Scahill, who companioned with Sr. Louise during her residency at Maria Regina in Brentwood, NY.

The youngest of seven children, Sr. Louise, was born on January 23, 1932, in Madawaska, ME, to Victor Dufour and Delia Guerette. She entered the Daughters of Wisdom in July 1951, made her first profession on February 2, 1952, and her final vows on August 2, 1957.

Sr. Louise went to school in Madawaska and knew Daughter of Wisdom, Sr. Ange Marie, who was the Superior. A group of her friends were entering the congregation, and the next day, she said, "I went to 7:00 a.m. Mass, and decided I was going to enter." Her mother was very happy, her father did not like the idea, but he consented.

After graduating from Madawaska High School in 1950, Sr. Louise pursued higher education. She earned a BA in English from Annhurst College in Woodstock, CT, and a Master's Degree in Science Education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT, in 1973. Her academic journey continued at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA, where she earned a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry in 1984.

Sr. Louise was a teacher at multiple different schools. She started her career in 1952 at St. Agatha's in Maine, where she began teaching first grade. She went on to teach seventh grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and then taught at St. Mary's High School in Waterbury, CT, until its merger with Holy Cross High School. At Holy Cross, she taught math and science. She spent several years (1984-88) in Belfast, Maine, teaching religious education and doing parish work before returning to teaching at St. Mary's High School in New Haven until its closure. Finally, she worked at St. Dominic's School in Lewiston, ME, where she taught religion to high schoolers. Sr. Louise was also a librarian at St. Bernadette's in Springfield, VA, from 1996-2006, and from 2004 - 2006, worked in parish ministry.

She also held volunteer positions throughout her life, including serving as the Director of Children's Choir while at St. Agatha's. Sr. Louise's dedication to her religious vocation was unwavering, and she was an inspiration to many. She was an avid reader and favored mysteries and novels. She valued her family and religious vocation most.

A native of Maine, it is no surprise that her favorite foods included lobster, seafood, steak, and burgers, and she loved pistachio ice cream.

Easter was always a special time for Sr. Louise, and with that came a special memory that she shared years ago. She said, "As a child, I always remember how excited we were on Holy Saturday. We could not eat

candy during Lent, so we saved it for that day. At 12 o'clock, the bells rang, and Lent was over. My mother cooked us bacon and eggs, and we celebrated Easter and ate our candy."

Sr. Louise had a deep and abiding love for her family. She was the sister of the late Donald, Jeanne, Lucienne, Baby Dufour, Blanch Michaud, and Theresa Priere; she is survived by many nieces and nephews. Her love for her family and sisters in the congregation was a guiding force in her life, and she will be greatly missed.

Donations in Sr. Louise's memory can be made to the Daughters of Wisdom.