Sister Estelle Charron, OSB, 86, died April 25, 2015, at St. Scholastica Monastery. Born on November 17, 1928, in Duluth, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Harold Charron and Amy (Hill) Charron. Sister was in her 44th year of monastic profession, celebrating her Silver Jubilee in 1997.
Sister graduated from Marquette University with a BS in Medical Technology and was a medical technologist for various employers from 1959-1972. From 1972 to 1975 she served as the manager of the Print Shop at The College of St. Scholastica (CSS). In 1975 she continued to serve CSS as a manager of the Book Store until 1981.
In 1984 Sister Estelle earned a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. She served as Treasurer of the Benedictine Sisters Benevolent Association from 1982-1992. During this time she also served on a number Boards, including the Board of Directors, St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth; the Board of Directors, Benedictine Health System; the Corporate Board of Directors, Benedictine Sisters Benevolent Association; the Board of Directors of the Benedictine Health Center in Duluth and the Board of Directors, St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.
Officially retiring in 1992 Sister Estelle continued to serve her community as the bookkeeper for Monastery Books and Gifts, staffing the Monastery Information Desk, and working in the Development Office. She brightened the Monastery with her sense of humor, her quiet attentive presence at community activities, her delight in cats, and her ever- enduring love of God. She had an adventuresome spirit thoroughly enjoying being out in nature by participating in activities such as camping, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, swimming and scuba diving, just to name a few.
Sister Estelle was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Harold Jr. She is survived by The Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, relatives and many friends, especially her dear friends Kathy Fossum and Andi Therrien. The Wake/Morning Prayer Service for Sister Estelle was on Monday, May 4, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at St. Scholastica Monastery. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. with Father Bill Fider presiding. Burial was in Gethsemane Cemetery. Arrangements were by Affordable Cremation and Burial.