Fernande Martel PM

She was born in Manchester, May 21, 1915, the daughter of Romeo and Marie-Louise (Brunelle) Martel. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary at St. Hyacinthe, Quebec in 1932 and made her first profession on July 31, 1934 and her final profession on August 15, 1939.

Sister Fernande was a dedicated teacher for 57 years. She taught both at elementary and secondary levels in Manchester and throughout New Hampshire.

A graduate of Rivier College, she studied mathematics at St. Anselm College, Dartmouth College, Holy Cross and Boston College, earning study grants from the National Science Foundation and the State of New Hampshire. She also conducted workshops for mathematics teachers under the auspices of the State of New Hampshire and, for many years, taught summer courses in mathematics at Rivier College to Sisters of various religious communities. In 1995 she received and honorary Doctor of Education degree from St. Anselm College.

She retired in 1989 to the St. Joseph Residence in Manchester.

Family members include a brother, Dominic Martel of St. Louis, MO; a sister, Rosette Provencher of Annandale. VA; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Monday November 26, 2007 in the Resurrection Chapel. Burial was in Presentation of Mary Cemetery, Hudson, NH.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester, was in charge of arrangements.