Sister Colette Guidry
In Memoriam
1922 – 2010
Sister Colette was born Christelle Guidry on January 24, 1922 in Hayes, Louisiana, daughter of Edmonia Primeaux and Felix Guidry. She was one of ten children; all of her siblings preceded Colette in death.
Raised in Lake Arthur, Christelle entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in New Orleans on September 8, 1937. The next year she received the Marianite habit and the name Colette. Sister Colette pronounced temporary vows on August 10, 1940 and made her perpetual profession on December 31, 1943.
Spending most of her life as a teacher, Sister taught elementary school at Holy Name of Mary, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Rita, and St. Mary of the Angels in New Orleans; St. John in Franklin; St. Basil in Plaquemine; Sacred Heart in Ville Platte; and St. Francis de Sales in Houma.
Having earned a degree in home economics from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas, Sister taught high school at St. John, Franklin; St. Charles Academy, Lake Charles; Archbishop Blenk, Gretna; and St. Louis High School, Lake Charles. She also spent five years at Immaculate Conception School in Lake Charles, first as teacher and later as principal of the school.
Harking back to her family’s French heritage, Colette spent 1972-1973 studying French at the Sorbonne in Paris as part of the CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) program. In later years, she taught French in high school and at Our Lady of Holy Cross College.
After completing theology studies at St. Thomas University in Houston in 1981, Sr. Colette began her ministry as Director of Religious Education at St. Ann Parish in Beaumont, Texas. She remained there for some fifteen years. Once she left there in 1995, Colette lived and worked at Our Lady of Holy Cross College where she served on the library staff and rendered community service until her move to Prompt Succor Convent in 2004 and to Prompt Succor Nursing Home in 2007.
In addition to her educational expertise, Sr. Colette was an excellent seamstress; students and friends alike attest to her extraordinary talent with fabric, needle and thread. A great story-teller, Colette could keep people attentive to her recounting of tales of her early years in community and of her travels in various parts of the world.
A life-long learner, her shelves held her cherished books and compact discs of classical music which she loved. Her typewriter was always close by to make notes and write letters. At the nursing home, Colette continued to share her gifts of listening and spreading her wit and wisdom with residents, family members, and the staff who had grown to love her.
Following surgery for a broken hip, Colette’s health deteriorated rapidly. Even in her final days, the music she loved played at her bedside and her Marianite sisters took turns sitting with her and assuring her of their care and their prayers. After a month totally bed-ridden and dependent on others, Colette made her final journey home to God on the morning of April 24, 2010.
Her wake and funeral took place on Tuesday, April 27 in the chapel of Prompt Succor Nursing Home. The chapel was crowded with numerous family members, Marianites, friends, and former students. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated by Msgr. Melancon, one of Sr. Colette’s favorite priests who recounted his own experiences of this dynamic Marianite.
At the close of the Mass, those attending were asked to share some of their memories of Colette and how she touched their lives. The incidents related brought more smiles than tears to the congregation. Sr. Colette was buried in the Marianite plot in St. Landry Cemetery, Opelousas, Louisiana on April 27, 2010.
May Sister Colette’s soul rest in peace!