Sister Denise Therriault CLAREMONT, NH -Sister Denise (formerly Sister M. Monique) Therriault, 89, a Sister of Mercy for 71 years, died May 19, 2023 at the Warde Health Center, Windham, New Hampshire. A native of Claremont, New Hampshire, she was one of four children of the late Adelard and Leonie (Lafreniere) Therriault. Sister Denise held a B.A. in education from Mount St. Mary College in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Her early ministry as a Sister of Mercy was in education with teaching in elementary schools in New Hampshire. Sister Denise taught in primary grades at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Manchester, at St. Patrick School in Portsmouth, at St. John School in Concord, at St. Joseph School in Keene, and at St. Mary School in Claremont where she taught and also served as principal. After 33 years of teaching in primary grades, Sister Denise lovingly cared for her parents and provided many volunteer services particularly within the community of Berlin. From 1985 to 2009 she ministered within St. Kieran Parish in Berlin, New Hampshire as a pastoral minister and manager of Guest House, a licensed boarding house for elders in need. From 2009 to 2014 she volunteered at Androscoggin Valley Hospital. Sister Denise shared graciously and generously her strong leadership, organizational and teaching skills in responding to the needs of those she touched throughout her 71 years of life-giving ministries as a Sister of Mercy. Many people, young and old, appreciated her kindness and special presence to them. In 2003 Sister Denise received a Mercy Action Certificate of Nomination for the Cunningham Award in recognition of her commitment to making social justice and equality a living reality, particularly for the people living in the economically depressed North Country of New Hampshire. In 2005 Dr. John A. McDowell, Director of Care Management at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, congratulated Sister Denise and the St. Kieran Guest House Board for their 20 years in providing safe housing to “folks who are unable to live safely independently…without your facility…You have done them a great service indeed.” In 2009 St Kieran Guest House Board and Good Shepherd Parish honored Sister with a reception on her retirement and in recognition of 19 years as manager of St. Kieran Guest House. Sister Denise is survived by her sister, Sister Monique Therriault, RSM and all other members of her Mercy Community, and sister-in-law Carol, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers Norman and Paul Therriault and sister-in-law, Helene Therriault. Friends may call at the Warde Senior Living, 21 Searles Road, Windham, New Hampshire on June 6, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, New Hampshire. Arrangements are in the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com.
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