Daughters of the Holy Spirit USA

09/09/2026

Sr. Anne Marie Berthiaume, DHS
April 8, 1935 – September 3, 2026

Sr Anne Marie Berthiaume, 91, A member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on Thursday September 3, 2026 at St Joseph Living Center, Windham, CT.

Born Marie Anne Louise Berthiaume in Waterbury, CT, she was the daughter of Lawrence (Loronzo) Berthiaume and Alice (Beland) Berthiaume. After graduating from Waterbury Catholic High School as the business valedictorian in 1953, she entered the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and professed her vows on April 13, 1955. She was then known as Sr. Lawrence Marie.

After receiving her BA in Education, Sr Anne Marie was a business teacher in CT and VT. In 1962 she was one of the first Daughters of the Holy Spirit to be missioned to Chile. There she held a variety of education positions until 1971 when she returned to Putnam to take on the responsibility of Provincial Secretary. Sr Anne Marie’s next mission in 1978 was as District Coordinator of the DHS in California and Pastoral Minister for the Catholic Churches of Merced, CA as well as on the Pastoral Team of Merced Community Medical Center. This was followed by a 5 year term as a Provincial Councilor in Putnam. She then followed her heart back to California, this time as pastoral minister at Sacred Heart Parish in Patterson. Sr Anne Marie was called back to CT to again take on the position of Provincial Councilor from 2003 – 2008. She then returned to Patterson where she had left her heart and was involved in many volunteer activities. She returned to the east coast for the last time in 2018 and resided at The Card Home in Willimantic before joining the community at St Joseph Living Center in 2024.

Sr. Anne Marie is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates. She was predeceased by her brother Lawrence Bertiaume but is survived by her sister-in-law Carol Berthiaume and her niece Jaime Berthiaume, both in Oklahoma.

Calling hours will be on Saturday September 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish/ St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT with a prayer service at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam, CT at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. The Gilman-Valade Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT is in charge of arrangements.

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08/26/2026

Sr. Zena Pereira, DHS
December 23, 1937 - August 21, 2026

Sr. Zena Pereira, 88, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died on Friday August 21, 2026 at St Joseph Living Center, Windham, CT.

Born Zena Bernadette Pereira in Bombay, India on December 23, 1937 she was the daughter of Charles Pereira and Margaret Soeiro. She had entered with the Franciscan Hospitallers of the Immaculate Conception and made first vows with them on May 13, 1959. She was then known as Sr. Clothilda of Lourdes. During her years with this community, she was involved in education in various places in India from 1959-1979.

In 1973 she was missioned to California and taught in schools in San Jose and Los Baños. In 1979 she applied to Our Lady of Grace School in West Sacramento, a school staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and taught there until 1981. At that time, she decided to transfer from her community to the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. After a period of formation, Zena professed perpetual vows as a Daughter of the Holy Spirit on April 10, 1983.

Sr Zena continued her teaching ministry in Moosup, CT and in California. In 1997, she received her certification as a Catholic Chaplain and in 1998 she returned to the East Coast to take up the service of Pastoral Minister at Cromwell Crest Care in Cromwell, CT. From 2002 until 2008 she ministered as hospital Chaplain at St. Mary Hospital in Waterbury, CT.

Following some health issues, she was admitted to Holy Spirit Health Care Center in 2014 and joined the community at St Joseph Living Center in 2016.

Throughout her life, Sr Zena loved music and enjoyed sharing that love in folk groups and informal gatherings.

Sr Zena is survived by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associates. She is also survived by her sister, Phoebe Da Costa of Mumbai, India and three nephews, Keith DaCosta of India and Malcolm DaCosta and Darryl DaCosta and their families of Ontario, Canada as well as other relatives in Australia, England and India.

Calling hours will be on Saturday August 29,2026 at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish/ St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, CT with a prayer service at 10:15 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam, CT at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. The Gilman-Valade Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT is in charge of arrangements.

Link for live stream
https://www.youtube.com//streams

08/16/2026

It was a great experience being with 1,300 other religious women and men, knowing that we are part of something not only bigger than ourselves and that the Daughters of the Holy Spirit are not alone.

08/16/2026

A moving day

08/14/2026

A video from the assembly

08/14/2026

Sisters Janet and Bonnie joined 1,300 religious sisters, brothers and priests for the LCWR assembly in Orlando.

08/14/2026

08/14/2026

In a video message to the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in the United States, Pope Leo highlights the beauty of different communities, ...