Sister Mary Immaculata Dumont

Sister Mary Immaculata Dumont R.S.M. (Kathleen I. Dumont), 97 yrs., a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, died peacefully at St. Josephs Residence, Portland, on January 27, 2015. Sister M. Immaculata was born in Dexter, Maine on April 13, 1917 to Mattie Brann and Joseph S. Dumont. She was brought up in Fairfield and attended Lawrence High School but graduated from Central High School in Manchester, N.H. where she lived for a short time. In 1937, Sister entered the Sisters of Mercy from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Fairfield. Sister M. Immaculata received her higher education at St. Josephs College, Standish and graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Her career in education spanned forty years in parochial schools in the Diocese of Portland. Her teaching ministry focused in grades one thru four from Biddeford to Houlton. Sister also took French courses at Assumption College, Worcester, MA. to prepare for teaching French in the elementary schools where she taught. In addition, she was the recipient of a grant for Franco-Americans. Sister M. Immaculata taught Adult Education programs at Portland High School and religion at Baxter School for the Deaf. Sister M. Immaculata retired from teaching in 1981 and lived at St. Josephs Motherhouse where she volunteered in the Altar Bread Room and as a Telephone Receptionist. In 1984, Sister volunteered at Mercy Hospital Gift Shop, Health Information Services, Patient Registration and as a Eucharistic Minister. She enjoyed her days at Mercy where she gave more than 8,500 hours of service. In 2002, Sister M. Immaculata retired from volunteer service. In 2007, Sister returned to the site of the Mercy Hospital at the Fore River, where she signed the final steel beam and attended the topping off ceremony. She was happy to see many of her friends at Mercy. Sister M. Immaculata was a woman of quiet reflection and prayer. She was active in the Charismatic Movement where she met several life-long friends. Sister was gifted with dexterous hands and enjoyed sewing altar cloths, knitting and rug hooking. She spent many summers at St. Josephs College attending Rug Hooking Workshops with others from many parts of the country. The many compliments she received for her meticulous work brought a spontaneous smile. Sister was fortunate to have a very close-knit family and many attended her Jubilee a few years ago. They honored her by gifting the children at the Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital with 100 books in her name. She was delighted to accompany her niece, Louise, to deliver them. In addition to her dear parents, Sr. M. Immaculata was predeceased by her brothers, Henry Dumont, MIA World War II; Lawrence (Therese) Dumont, Newcastle; and her sister, Lena (Neri) Maillet, Winslow. She is survived by her beloved brother, Dr. Richard Dumont, Cincinnati, Ohio; Joseph (Roberta) Dumont, Waterville; her beloved sisters, Florence (Clement) Theberge, So. Lawrence, MA., Marguerite (Gerard) Begin, Florida and Theresa (James) Violette, Waterville. She is also survived by a large family of nieces, nephews, and their families and her Sisters in community. Visiting hours will be held at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, on Sunday, from 3 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Cumberland Avenue, Portland followed by burial in New Calvary Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.ctcrawford.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, 966 Riverside Street, Portland, ME. 04103.