Obituary of Sr. Florence Mary Cotreau, MSC

Sr. Florence Mary Cotreau, MSC, died at Lawrence Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 in her 77^th year of religious profession.

Born in Medford, Massachusetts, to parents Theophile and Annie Cotreau, Sr. Florence was very close to her family.  Even after she entered the Marianites of Holy Cross in Princeton, NJ in 1949, she maintained close contact with her sisters, and then her nieces and nephews.  She always looked forward to boarding a train and making that five hour trip to Boston to visit with everyone.

Sr. Florence loved little children.  She earned a degree in education from Fordham University in New York, and spent most of her religious life teaching the primary grades in various schools in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.  Wherever she ministered, she gave unstintingly of herself to both the children she taught and the sisters with whom she lived.  

Sr. Florence was a deeply spiritual person.  She loved her quiet times of prayer and reflection.  Walking into her room, you could see statues of Mary and framed hand-written inspirational passages from Scripture and spiritual writers.  A shy person, her deep spirituality gave her the strength to minister in new places and in new ways, even for a time serving the poor in New Orleans. 

When Sr. Florence retired, she filled her time with volunteer ministry.  She worked as a teacher’s aide, and then ministered to the poor in through Catholic Charities, New York.  Education, however, remained her first love.  In her last volunteer ministerial position, she helped students in an after school program.   The students knew that she kept a endless supply of pencils and paper just for them, so that they could do their homework, before going out to play.

In 2017, Sr. Florence moved to St. Mary’s Assisted Living.  She loved the quiet of her room and the view of the trees.  True to her lifelong practice, she made good friends among those with whom she lived, and she participated in many activities.   She especially loved the bus trips.  Whether it be a trip to a scenic park or to the Dollar Tree, Sr. Florence was on that bus! 

When Sr. Florence became ill, she deeply appreciated all those who cared for her, and those who visited her.  Her smile of thanks lit up the room.

Predeceased by her parents and her sister Peggy, Sr. Florence is survived by her sisters Mary Avery, Geneva DeJesus, and Barbara Herrick, and many beloved nephews and nieces and their children.

Services will be held Monday, June 10, at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, The Terraces at Lawrence, 1 Bishops’ Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ.   The visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00.  Internment will take place at the Marianites of Holy Cross Cemetery, Princeton, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Marianites of Holy Cross Congregational Center, in care of Sr. Ann Lacour, 75520 LA – 1081, Covington, LA 70435.