Dominican Sister of Peace, Sister M. Paulette (Lelia Odette) Paille died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH on February 25, 2021.
Sister Paulette was born in 1943 in New Orleans, LA to Lucille Arceneaux and Andre Paille. She entered the Congregation in 1962 and served God and the people of the Church for 59 years.
Sister Paulette earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Saint Mary’s Dominican College in Louisiana, and her Master of Science as a Reading Specialist from the University of Southern Mississippi. She also earned her certification as a Catechist in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Sister Paulette began her ministry as a teacher of first and second graders in Louisiana and Mississippi, where she loved teaching children to read. She returned to her alma mater, Saint Mary’s Dominican College, to serve as a secretary in the Education Department.
In 1981, Sister Paulette joined the Rosaryville Spirit Life Center staff, eventually becoming the Director and serving at that ministry for 13 years. After a brief sabbatical, Sister Paulette joined the staff at Saint Philomena Parish as an Administrative Assistant and teacher in the parish religious program.
Sr. Paulette served her Congregation as an Assistant Coordinator at the New Orleans Motherhouse. While serving at the Motherhouse, she was also involved with Magnificat Ministry to Catholic Women.
Sr. Paulette’s gentle presence and willingness to listen made her a beloved hospice volunteer during her final year in New Orleans. In 2015, she entered a ministry of prayer and presence at the Mohun Care Center in Columbus, OH.
Sr. Therese Leckert, who met Sr. Paulette as a novice in New Orleans, said in her funeral homily: “Paulette always impressed me as a prayerful faith-filled sister who wanted to serve others in community. She enjoyed her ministries and being well liked by her co-workers and supervisors.”
She was preceded in death by her parents Andre and Lucille Doris Arceneaux Paille, her brother, Andre Jr., and her sister Mary Margaret Wallace. She is survived by her brother, Robert Paul, and her sisters, Suzanne Arnold, and Arlene Carlton.
A private funeral mass for Sr. Paulette was held at the Columbus Motherhouse Chapel on March 11, 2021. Sr. Paulette will be interred in a private graveside service in Ponchatoula, LA.
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