Sister Jeanine Marie A. de Turenne, SNJM
(Marguerite Auzias de Turenne)
September 21, 1933 – July 20, 2018
Sister Jeanine Marie A. de Turenne, SNJM departed this life on July 20, 2018 at Hospice House, Spokane, Washington.
Sister Jeanine celebrated 84 years of life and 63 years of her religious profession.
Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Spokane, Washington.
Sister Jeanine Marie A. de Turenne, SNJM
Sister Marguerite Auzias de Turenne
September 21, 1933 – July 20, 2018
Sister Jeanine Marie, SNJM, born Marguerite A. de Turenne, September 21, 1933, in Seattle, WA, to Nina and Amaury Auzias de Turenne, died July 20, 2018, in Spokane, WA. Formed also by her rich French and Russian heritage, Sister Jeanine received her elementary and secondary education at Holy Names Academy, Seattle. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1953 and prepared to be a teacher.
Her teaching career took her to St. Frances Cabrini, Tacoma, as well as St. Joseph’s, St. Anne’s, and Immaculate, Seattle. After receiving her Master’s in Education, Sister Jeanine was principal at Immaculate and guided that Central District school wisely and peacefully through the turbulent 60’s. At St. Anne’s she enthusiastically accepted the challenge to establish a computer laboratory for the school. Evidence of her intelligence and ingenuity is provided by the fact that when the computer company phoned to say the technician would come to put the computers together, she announced there was no need as she already had all twenty set up and working. Sister completed her career in education as St. Anne’s school librarian where she worked long hours making the library an attractive and welcoming space as well as an efficient tool for learning. During that time she also served as Director of St. Anne’s Convent with such kindness and generosity of spirit that Sisters still speak gratefully of her gentle leadership.
Greatly loved and respected by those she taught and worked with, Sister Jeanine stayed in touch with many former students, parents, and fellow teachers. One of her students recently wrote her: “You made me the man I am today—and I am a really good man!”
Following retirement, Sister devoted her life to prayer and hospitality, acting as a gracious hostess to the many visitors who came to enjoy the peacefulness of a lake house as well as her gourmet cooking. Even though she had been an avid tennis player, swimmer, biker, kayaker, lover of long walks, Sister bore the infirmities that burdened her in her later years with patience and equanimity. She retained her wonderful sense of humor, her joy in family and friends, and her prayerfulness, especially Mother Marie-Rose’s “passion for the reign of God’s justice to be among us.”
Sister Jeanine is survived by her SNJM Sisters and Associates, by her two brothers, Raymond (Barbara) of Hawaii, and Charles (Carolyn) of Atlanta, GA, as well as her younger sister, Sister Yvonne A. de Turenne, SNJM, and several nieces and nephews. On Sister’s last birthday, Sister Nancy Anderson, SNJM, wrote: “We thank you for being a rainbow of gifts.” Amen.
Sister Jeanine Marie died July 20, 2018, at Hospice of Spokane House in Spokane, WA. Funeral Mass was celebrated Thursday, August 16, 2018, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Spokane, Washington.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund, 2911 West Fort Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224.