Michaelinda Plante Obituary

Sister Michaelinda Plante, RSM, age 90, born Beverly Jeannette, died peacefully at Mount Saint Rita Health Centre in Cumberland, Rhode Island (Diocese of Providence) on January 28, 2025. She was the daughter of Albert and Helen (Caron) Plante. She was preceded in death by her brother Albert Henry Plante and his wife Colleen and Sister Christopher O'Rourke with whom she lived for many years. She is survived by her sister Carol Sabo of Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Sister Michaelinda was a Sister of Mercy for seventy years. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Cumberland, Rhode Island on September 8, 1954, and began preparation for a career in education both as a teacher and an administrator. Sister Michaelinda loved teaching and in the spirit of Catherine McAuley stressed the importance of recognizing the gifts of the students and encouraging them. She began her teaching career in Grades 3 to 7 in the Diocese of Providence and in New Bedford. She was the Procurator at Salve Regina University before returning to be the Coordinator and Treasurer of Carter Day Nursery in Providence.

Sister Michaelinda was appointed principal of St. Mary School, Winchester, Massachusetts. She earned a Doctor of Education degree from Boston College where her dissertation researched the knowledge of and attitudes of pastors, principals and laity toward the financial resources for parish Catholic elementary schools. Upon graduation she was named Assistant Superintendent of catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River. She was President of the Principals Association of the Boston Archdiocese and Vice-President of the Mercy Elementary Education Network.

Upon retirement from school she volunteered in the Department of Social Services in Boston doing foster care reviews. She also volunteered with the Tiverton Housing Authority. She was a resident of Tiverton for 28 years and an active member of St. Theresa parish where she cared for the altar preparation for liturgical celebrations.

Sister Michaelinda will be remembered by her many students and colleagues through the years for her kindness and concern. It seems fitting that she would go to meet the God she loved during Catholic School Week in America. What better tribute as she goes home to God then to bring a life of teaching others as Jesus asks us to do.

The Funeral will be held at Saint Aidan and Saint Patrick Church, 1460 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland RI, on Wednesday February 5, 2025, with a Mercy prayer service at 9:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Saint Ann Cemetery, 73 Church Street, Cranston, RI immediately following the Liturgy.