Sister Irene Comeau (Sr. Paul Joseph), (11/22/29), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on February 13, 2024 at Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of Rodolphe and Claire (Lavallee) Comeau.
Sister Irene entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, Mass., from Christ the King Parish, West Warwick, RI in 1947. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. Sister graduated from St. Mary Academy in Bay View, RI. She earned a B.A. degree from Regis College, Weston, MA and an M.A. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT.
Sister taught in the of the Diocese of Fall River at St. Jean Baptiste School, Blessed Sacrament School, St. Roch School, St. Matthew School, all in Fall River; St. Michael, Ocean Grove; St. Joseph, New Bedford; and St. Michael, Swansea. Sister also taught at St. Joseph Montessori and Dominican Academy in Fall River. She ministered at Newport County Catholic School, Middletown, R.I. and at St. Joseph School, Conway, Arkansas. Sister volunteered at Mont Marie Child Care Center in Holyoke and at Gray House in Springfield. She retired at St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in Holyoke before moving to Framingham.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her sister-in-law Joan Comeau and a nephew, Roland Comeau, several cousins, and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Rodolphe and Claire Comeau, and a niece, Denise Marie Comeau.
All services for Sr. Irene will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA, Tuesday, February 20, 2024. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.