Verna M. Cyr, 79, entered her Fifth Day when she peacefully passed away Thursday, February 26, 2015, at a Biddeford hospital. She was born March 12, 1935 in Van Buren, the daughter of the late Abel and Annie (Ouellette) Cyr. Verna was a 1955 graduate of Sacred Heart School, Van Buren, and entered the convent with the Good Shepherd Sisters at Bayview Convent, Saco, Maine. She departed the convent in 1957 to return to Van Buren in order to care for her ailing parents. Verna was a cook with the Good Shepherd Sisters in Van Buren from 1957 until the convent's closing in 1995. She formed many lasting and dear friendships while serving the Sisters, even long after they left Van Buren. She was an Affiliate of the Good Shepherd Sisters for 20 years, a long-time member of the Columbiettes, and a past member of the Third Order of Mary for over 50 years. Verna was an active parishioner of her parish, St. Bruno-St. Remi Church and the St. Peter Chanel Parish, where she served as a cantor for 20 years, 60 years as a choir member, and a Eucharistic Minister for over 20 years. She also took great joy in managing the food booth St. Bruno's Annual Parish Bazaar, making hundreds of pounds of fudge and whoopie pies. She is survived by: a sister, Jeannine Laria of Punta Gorda, FL; nephews, Mike, Richard, David, George, Philip, Clyde, Danny, Rodney, Michael, Dennis & Phil; and nieces, Susan, Mona, Ida, Denise & Lucie. In addition to her parents, Verna is predeceased by: six sisters, Donata Grant, Bertha Tardif, Lucille Bellefleur, Corinne Dupere, Aline Frenette & Yvette Couture; three brothers, Rosaire, Bertrand & Danny Cyr; and a niece, Carol Tardif. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, Van Buren. Relatives and friends may greet the family Saturday morning 9-10:30 AM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. Spring interment will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Verna's name may be made to: St. Joseph's Convent, 409 Pool St., Biddeford, ME 04005.
