LEWISTON – Sister Mary Fulgentia Guite, R.S.M., a.k.a. Mary Virginia, “Aunt Thena,” 91, a gracious, loving and gentle Sister of Mercy, died peacefully July 19, 2004, at St. Joseph’s Manor. Sister was born in Fairfield, and moved to Bangor, at an early age. While in Bangor, she attended St. John’s School and was a 1931 graduate of John Bapst High School. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1931, where she earned her B.S. degree in education from St. Joseph’s College in Standish. She devoted herself to the education of youth for 50 years. Her special gift was with the primary grade children, whom she loved dearly. Among the Parishes where she shared her talents were Cathedral, St. Dominic’s, and St. Patrick’s, Portland, St. Joseph’s, Lewiston, Holy Cross, South Portland, St. Teresa’s, South Brewer, St. Mary’s, Augusta, St. Mary’s, Biddeford, St. Mary’s, Bangor, and St. Mary’s, Houlton. Sister also taught at the Public School in Benedicta. She retired from teaching in 1983 in Houlton, where she founded the “Good As New Thrift Shop.” There she found ample opportunity to use her excellent skills as a seamstress. She is famous for her cookies, donuts and fried dough throughout the Houlton area. Sister returned to St. Joseph’s Convent, Portland, in 1992, where she served the needs of the elderly as a member of SURGE, a program founded for pre-retirement and retirement needs. She was predeceased by her parents, Frank James and Mary Frances Dunn; her sister, Laura Murray; her brothers, Francis and Edmund Guite; and a special cousin, William James Collins. She is survived by her sisters, Theresa McNeil of Bangor, and Marguerite Kearney of Augusta; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, a great-great-niece and great-great-nephew; and her sisters in Community. Visiting hours will be held 2:30-4:30 and 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at St. Joseph’s Convent, Portland, with prayer service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, July 23, at St. Joseph’s Convent, Portland. A committal service will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. Memorial gifts may be made to the Retirement Fund for the Sisters of Mercy, 605 Stevens Ave., Portland, ME 04103. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Funeral Homes, 172 State St., Portland, ME 04101.
SISTER MARY FULGENTIA GUITE, R.S.M.
