Sr. Vivian de Kerlegand

Memoriam
1917 – 2010

     Sister Vivian de Kerlegand was born in Arnaudville, Louisiana, on April 6, 1917, one of the seven children born to Alexis de Kerlegand and Valerie Naquin.  Educated by the Marianites of Holy Cross at St. John’s Academy in Franklin, Vivian entered the Congregation’s novitiate in New Orleans on September 12, 1935.  When she received the habit the following year, she was given the name Sr. Mary of St. Louis.  Sister made temporary profession on August 11, 1937 and pronounced her perpetual vows on August 11, 1940. 
     Tiny in stature, Sister was called “Baby Lou” by many until she returned to her baptismal name and was then affectionately referred to as “Tee Viv.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree in 1943, Sister was involved in education at many levels.  From 1935 to 1968, she taught at the Marianite elementary schools: at St. Cecilia and Holy Name of Mary in New Orleans; and in Eunice, Houma, Ville Platte, Franklin, Morgan City, Lake Charles, and Opelousas. 
     Sister earned a master’s degree in home economics from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas, and she was certified in history, English, and French.  In 1968 she began teaching high school in Opelousas where she remained until 1978. 
     Following her extensive teaching experiences, Vivian ministered in the Diocese of Lafayette, at St. Mary’s Learning Center and at the diocesan chancery where she worked as assistant archivist and as clerk in the marriage tribunal. 
     The name Vivian translates to “life-giving” and Sister was always fully alive and enthusiastic about all in which she was involved. She served as mentor and friend to many, teaching them the art of celebrating life as she did, whether researching, writing, sewing, cooking, studying history or learning French.  Her love and appreciation for others was colorfully woven through each experience and was distinctly evident in the tapestry of the lives she touched.
     In April, 2010, Vivian celebrated seventy-five years of religious life.  The Lord called her to himself on June 12, just a few weeks after her jubilee.   Vivian passed away suddenly and peacefully on a Saturday evening at the age of 93.

     Preceded in death by all her siblings, Sister is survived by Anna Jane Marks, Marianite Associate and long time friend and “sister” with whom Vivian had lived for more than twenty years.  She also left behind many nieces, nephews and other family members who had remained close to her all her life.
     In celebration of her life, a wake service and funeral were held at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on June 16, 2010.  A large crowd assisted at the Mass which was concelebrated by Fathers Gary Shexnayder, Austin Leger, and Paul Metrejean.  In reflecting on Sister’s life, Fr. Metrejean spoke of Vivian’s support of him when he was a young priest assigned to Opelousas during the difficult years of integrating the Catholic schools back in the late 1960s.  Sister was his biggest support and constantly encouraged him during tense and painful moments.
     Father Shexnayder, whom Vivian had “prayed into and through the seminary,” recounted some of the amusing tales they had shared together.  He praised Anna Jane for her devotion to Sister and said, “All of us are looking for an Anna Jane to take care of us.”
     Several others shared their stories following the funeral as they accompanied their “Tee Viv” to her final resting place in the Marianite plot in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas.
                                                           May Sister’s soul rest in peace!