Marlborough – Sister Carol Proietti (Sr. M. Frances Cabrini), 83, a Sister of St. Anne, died December 21 in UMASS Marlborough Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Leominster MA, she was the oldest of four children born to Genevieve (Brunelle) Proietti Lucier. Her father was Europeo Proietti. She graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in Fitchburg.
After graduation, she attended Anna Maria College and earned a BA degree
in English. She then taught English at the Paxton Center School in Paxton, MA. Her decision made, she joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Marlborough and pronounced vows. For the next years, Sister Carol taught English, Journalism, and Literature at the High School level in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne throughout Massachusetts. In Worcester, at the original Holy Name High and at the former Holy Name Central Catholic High School. A respected and popular teacher, she was an early recipient of the Msgr. George E Denomme Award from Holy Name, which honored her contributions to education. She also taught in Lynn at St-Jean-Baptiste School and in Marlborough at the former St. Anne Academy.
During this time, she earned an MA degree in English from Boston College. In the early 80’s, Sister Carol became a trailblazer when she became the first local Social Concerns Director for the SSAs while continuing to teach part-time.
She was a woman of peace and a strong advocate for Peace and Justice issues. At the same time, she established the office for Social Concerns directing programs to benefit those in need, women, and children, the marginalized and the poor. To expand this growing program, Sister Carol participated in the Credo Program, at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.
Though officially ‘’retired’’ from formal teaching, for three years, she was a tutor at a Family Development Center in Kakawis, in Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Returning to New England, she provided service as a Library Aide, also in the Public Relations and Alumni Offices at Anna Maria College (Paxton, MA) and in similar offices at Holy Name Central Catholic High School.
In the late 90s, she was tapped to become Province Secretary and Communications Coordinator as well as Social Concerns Coordinator. She was a visible figure at the State House for protests against the Death Penalty and similar concerns. She joined colleagues across the country in working nationwide to improve the quality of people’s lives. In her role as Communications Coordinator, she became active in the National (now International) Communicators for Women Religious and its chapter in New England.
A faithful and prayerful vowed religious woman, Sister Carol used ‘’extra’’ moments for reading, gathering with a legion of friends and her extended family and serving up specialties from her Italian heritage. As illness took her strength, she moved to Marie Esther Health Center at Alliance Health Care in Marlborough.
In addition to her saddened religious family of the Sisters of St. Anne, Sr. Carol leaves to grieve her brothers Wayne (Ines) Lucier, and David (Denise) Lucier, her sister Maureen (Proietti) Araujo and her aunt and uncle Clara Proietti Ermini and Ciro Ermini, her uncle John Proietti, her niece and nephews, Amy Roche, Matthew Lucier, Jason and Nicholas Lucier, and their families and Ron Hachey, her many friends, colleagues, and former students.
In accord with current restrictions due to the pandemic, burial services on Saturday are private. A Memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.
