Sr. Angela LaBranche, CSJ

                 The Sisters of St. Joseph request your prayers for                SISTER ANGELA LABRANCHE, CSJ                                         Who entered into eternal life on August 31, 2019   Funeral Liturgy will be held in Nazareth Center                     Holy Family Chapel on Thursday, September 5 at 11:00am.  Burial of cremains will follow in Nazareth Gate of Heaven Cemetery.   Evelyn LaBranche was born in Escanaba, Michigan on May 4, 1915, the daughter of Archille and Amanda (Trombly) LaBranche.  She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Flint at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on January 29, 1934.  She received the name Sister Angela at her reception on August 24, 1934, pronounced first vows on August 25, 1936 and final vows on August 26, 1939.   Sister Angela earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Nazareth College, a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University in Chicago. For 28 years she was active in education and school administration in Michigan parochial schools including St. Joan of Arc in St. Clair Shores, St. Therese in Lansing and St. Monica in Kalamazoo.  She then spent several years in SSJ Congregational Administration ministering as a regional coordinator, a Co-Director of Health Care at Fontbonne and secretary to a regional coordinator.  Since 1989 Sister Angela was a very active volunteer working with Hospice, the Cancer Center, a literacy program, Active Friends of the Homeless, Alzheimer’s Association and grief ministry. Sister Angela touched, enriched and broadened the lives of others through her ministry, but she always felt so blessed by these personal interactions which, in turn, touched her life so significantly.   Sister Angela possessed a compassionate, cheerful, loving personality which gave evidence of God’s love for all people.  She was gifted with the generosity, energy and vitality to live her SSJ charism and mission to its fullest.  Sister Angela was most grateful to her SSJ community for enabling her to grow, both spiritually and professionally, and for offering her challenges, but also a strong support system.  Her family and friends were companions on her life’s journey and she cherished their love and support.  May Sister Angela now enjoy eternal rest and peace in the presence of the God she so faithfully served all her life.   May She Rest In Peace!