Biddeford, ME — Sister Bertha Duperry, formerly known as Sister Rolande-Marie, died at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford, Maine on .Friday, February 1, 2013.at the age of 96. Bertha was the youngest child in a family of ten children born to Napoleon Duperry and Odelie Pelletier. Bertha was born on April 18,1916 in Van Buren, ME. She attended Keegan Elementary School, then Sacred Heart High in Van Buren, ME. In 1940, Bertha entered the Congregation of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as the Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec, in Biddeford, ME. After her initial training in religious life, Sister Bertha spent a year at our Good Shepherd Scholasticate in Quebec City. She earned her BA degree in education from St. Joseph College in Windham, ME, Then, came advanced studies at Salem State College in MA. She later earned her Master’s Degree in special education and psychology from the University of Maine in Orono. She was certified in both Maine and Massachusetts as School Psychologist, Special Ed Teacher, and Reading Consultant.
Her elementary school teaching of more than 20 years took her to Old Town, Hamlin, Grand Isle, and Van Buren, ME. Sister was instrumental in opening the “Common Learning Center” in Sacred Heart Junior High School in Van Buren under the Title I Program Teaching Exceptional Children. After three years, she devoted her time and expertise in teaching English as a second language, and remedial reading to the children in St. Ann School in Lawrence, MA. She also taught Adult Basic/Civic Education in the area for many years. In her spare time Sister became involved in selling the World Book Encyclopedia, advancing to becoming Area Manager, hiring and training other salespersons for more than ten years.
When sister retired from teaching, she was given charge of a group of Sisters at St. Joseph Convent until 2002. When fully retired, she continued to be involved in a local Charismatic prayer group, and served the Community as Eucharistic Minister, reader and receptionist.
Survivors are many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Visiting hours will be at St. Joseph Convent, 409 Pool Street, Biddeford, ME on Monday, February 4, 2013 from .7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Tuesday morning 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Convent on Tuesday, February 4, 2013 at 11:00AM. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Biddeford, Maine




