In Loving Memory
Sister Celine Plante, OSB, 83, died Friday, November 26, 2010, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She entered the Duluth Benedictine community September 8, 1944, and professed her monastic vows July 11, 1946. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee January 2, 1972, her Golden Jubilee July 7, 1996, and her Diamond Jubilee July 9, 2006.
She was born July 20, 1927, to Isadore and Myrtle (Martineau) Plante in Fort Ripley, Minnesota. After graduating from elementary school, she attended Stanbrook Hall High School in Duluth. She was assigned to the ministry of various domestic services after taking her first monastic vows. Sister Celine served in this capacity for many years at the McCabe Guest Home (a residence for senior citizens at the time) as well as in several convents: St Thomas Convent in Phoenix, St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Francis Convent, both in Brainerd, and St. Thomas Convent in International Falls. One year she was the housemother of preschool children at St. James Children’s Home.
In 1968 Sister Celine became the Food Service Supervisor in Somers Hall at The College of St. Scholastica. This faithful ministry earned her a ten-year service pin. Later she served in Food Service at the Monastery until 1996. In this work, on her own admission, she became a “fairly skilled bread-maker.”
Her talents were not limited to food service, however. After her retirement her artistry came out in the dish towels and pillowcases she embroidered for sale in the Monastery Books and Gifts Shop and the annual Christmas sale. She also took time to mend clothing for the Sisters in Benet Hall at the Monastery.
Sister Celine was a very quiet person who had an incredible way of communicating simply by her presence, her eyes, and her beautiful smile. She liked to tease and to be teased, and she loved the challenge of serving a variety of menus, especially when they were tailored to suit the needs and wants of the Sisters.
At her wake several comments were made about her fidelity to prayer and to her work. She was a good cook and enjoyed using her culinary skills when making goodies for any occasion. The words of one of the hymns sung at her funeral seemed especially appropriate for her: “Give us the bread of life to eat!”
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Elmer Joseph, and a sister who died shortly after birth. In addition to the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, she is survived by her sister Gertrude Anderson, and other loving relatives and friends.
A wake service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Scholastica Monastery November 30, 2010, with Father Brian Schultz presiding. Interment was in Gethsemane Cemetery.
MINISTRIES
Housemother of preschool children, St. James Children’s Home Domestic/Food Service Ministry
- McCabe Guest Home
- St. Thomas Convent, Phoenix, AZ
- St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, MN
- St. Francis Convent, Brainerd, MN
- Sacred Heart Convent, Duluth, MN
- St. Thomas Convent, International Falls, MN
- Somers Hall, The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN
- St. Scholastica Monastery, Duluth, MN
Prayer Ministry