Obituary: Sister Arline Gaudette
Sister Arline Gaudette, a lifelong teacher and devoted member of the Good Shepherd Sisters, passed away on October 16, 2026, at the Good Shepherd Convent in Biddeford. The 99‑year‑old was born Arline Gaudette on August 23, 1927, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the youngest of seven children to Genevieve Doiron and Peter Gaudette.
From the classrooms of Lawrence’s public schools, Arline’s path to the convent began in August 1946 when she entered the Congregation of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary—better known in the area as the Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec. The congregation, which operates out of Biddeford, welcomed her into a life of service and faith that would span more than seven decades.
Her early years in the order were marked by a steady commitment to education. Arline taught in Lawrence and Methuen, Massachusetts, and later in Old Town. For many years she also served as a “housemother” at St. Ann’s Orphanage, where she tended to the children’s physical and emotional needs while teaching them practical skills such as woodworking. Her passion for music was a constant companion, and she directed the parish’s children’s choir, bringing hymns and songs into the daily lives of the young faithful.
After retiring from formal teaching, Sister Arline turned her meticulous hand to needlework. She created quilts, runners, and handbags for her fellow sisters, her creations earning her a reputation as a skilled artisan within the convent. Her kindness, boundless energy, and attentiveness to others earned her lasting friendships in every community she touched.
Sister Arline’s life has been described by friends, relatives, and members of the religious community as one of quiet devotion, generosity, and joy. “She was ready to meet her Maker and eager for Him to welcome her home,” a family member said, reflecting the warmth she shared with nieces, nephews, and countless friends over the years.
Her funeral arrangements are as follows: a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Visitation will take place in the church from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford.
Sister Arline Gaudette’s legacy lives on in the countless students she taught, the children she nurtured, and the beautiful handmade gifts she left behind. Her life of service and love will be remembered by the Good Shepherd Sisters, her family, and the communities she served across Massachusetts and Maine.
