Odette A Beurrier

Little sister Odette passed away early Saturday morning, May 22nd. In the recent months, she had been hospitalized several times due to heart and kidney failure. She was born on January 24, 1930 in Plancher-Les-Mines, a village in the Vosges mountains in eastern France. She had one brother and one sister. As a very young woman, she worked for 6 years in the accounting department of a company. She was a member of the JOC (Young Christian Worker Movement) for several years and became the head of her section and part of the federal leadership. This led her to join the Community of Little Sisters of Jesus whose charism corresponded to her desire to live her religious life in everyday life. Since the beginning of her religious life, she also wanted to live among the Native people of Alaska. She made her first vows on December 8, 1955. She came to North America (Canada) by ship in February 1955. She went back to Europe for a time of study and preparation for her final vows on October 30, 1960. In 1980, she became a US citizen. Except for a few years in one or another of our communities in North America, she spent all her life in Alaska. For us, she was one of the foundation stones of our communities in Alaska, first in Nome, then on Diomede Island, Fairbanks and finally in Anchorage. Wherever she lived, she found a job to help support the Community: first cleaning houses when she arrived in Nome and did not speak English, then as secretary, pharmacy technician, receptionist. She had many hobbies and excelled at knitting, cross stitching, making Nativity scenes out of clay, gardening. In her last 12 years, at the Pioneer Home, she was involved in welcoming new residents and until last Summer enjoyed growing beautiful flowers on the terrace. In her simple and unassuming ways, she touched many people. We, the Little sisters of Jesus, will miss are very grateful for her dedication and love for our community. A recitation of the Rosary will take place at 1:30 pm followed by Memorial Mass on June 2 at Saint Anthony Parish in Anchorage.