Sister Mary Shaun Sevigny, R.S.M.

Portland – Sister Mary Shaun (Jacqueline) Sevigny, 95, died peacefully on September 20, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Convent, Biddeford, Maine. Daughter of the late Horace and Cora Pelletier Sevigny of Augusta, she received her education at St. Mary’s elementary, graduating from Cony High School in 1949. She worked as a bookkeeper for three years before entering the Sisters of Mercy to begin religious studies and courses at St. Joseph’s College, Standish, where she received her B.A. Ed. She taught at all levels of education from primary through college. She taught art at John Bapst High School, Bangor and at Catherine McAuley High School, Portland.

Sister Shaun furthered her higher education and attended Portland School of Art and Boston University. Sister Shaun was a woman of the arts! She was gifted as a painter, a jewelry maker and a silver smith. She presented workshops in Spirituality and Art in collaboration with others. Sister Shaun also showed her work with other artists at the annual Congress Street Art Walk. During her years at St. Joseph’s College, she taught Art courses, joined the External Degree Department and became Director of Enrollment Services.

In 1989, she was appointed as Secretary to the President of the Sisters of Mercy, Portland, a position she held until 1998, when she was appointed Community Archivist. In addition, she also ministered at McAuley Residence for Women and Children where she generously gave of her time and talent.

During her twenty plus years of living at Deering Pavilion, she enjoyed the many activities while getting to know the other residents. She took an active role on the Resident Counsel and volunteered in many areas when needed. She also was a familiar face at the Pop-up Library where she regularly borrowed many books as she was an avid reader. She also enjoyed puzzle making and playing cards with her neighbors.

Sister Shaun was a quiet presence which evidenced calm and peace especially when sharing her faith and love of God and Creation. This was demonstrated by her love of animals, in particular, the cats she fostered from Hart of Maine, an adoption center for cats. They brought her comfort over the years, especially in her last weeks.

Sister Shaun was predeceased by parents, Cora and Horace Sevigny. She is survived by her dear friend, Sister Ruth Hurtubise; her close friend Nancy Sullivan and family and her religious Sisters of Mercy.

We’d like to thank the Good Shepherd Sisters and Staff of St. Joseph’s Convent, Biddeford, and also Northern Light Homecare and Hospice for their many kindnesses.

Visiting hours will be held from 3-5pm on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland with a prayer service at 4:30pm. To view the livestream of the prayer service, please visit www.facebook.com/ConroyTullyWalker. The livestream will begin at 4:15pm. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 10am, followed by an 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. To view the livestream of the Mass, please visit https://ladyofhopemaine.org. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland, Maine.