Sister Lenora Elizabeth Carvelli, smsm
(Sister Mary Rosaire, smsm)
Born: June 20, 1926
First Profession: February 2, 1954
Died: March 2, 2026
Lenora Elizabeth Carvelli, known to all of us as Bette, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, the third child of Margaret Caruso and Pasquale Carvelli, both of whom were Italian immigrants. Her siblings were: her sister, Rose, who was ten years her senior; her brother, Bob, who was eight years her senior; and her brother, Bill, who was born two years after her. The death of Bette’s father when she was eight years old brought about dramatic changes for her family. They had to move from a large home in Milton to a more modest home in Dorchester and her mother went to work to support the family. Despite the change in their lifestyle, some things did not change: their home environment was very religious and there was always an abundance of love and good example to be found there.
After high school, Bette attended Nursing School and achieved her RN in 1948. After that, she took courses towards a BS in Nursing Administration prior to entering the smsm postulancy in Bedford, Massachusetts in July 1951. As a novice, Bette was given the name Sister Mary Rosaire.
She was professed on February 2, 1954. Years later, like other Religious at that time, Sr. Mary Rosaire chose to return to the use of her baptismal name, but rather than be called Lenora Elizabeth, she wanted to simply be called Bette.
Very soon after her First Profession, Sr. Bette left the United States to travel to her first mission in Fiji. Her departure was on March 25, 1954 – the Feast of the Annunciation of Mary. Like most of us SMSM, She always considered her first mission in Fiji as her ‘first love’. She served in Fiji for a total of twenty-five years: twenty years working with persons with Hansen’s Disease in Makogai and P.J. Twomey Hospital in Suva and five years in Wairiki as Assistant at the Postulate.
Sr. Bette was a life-long learner who participated in many continuing education courses for nursing. And over the years, she took a variety of courses to help her in the various ministries that she was asked to undertake. She did courses in Public Health and Leprosy Training in New Zealand; and, in the United States, she studied Geriatrics, Alzheimer’s Disease, English as a Second Language & Communication Skills for Lay Ministers. Along with these courses, she also did various spiritual renewal programs at different stages of her life.
Her remaining 47 years of missionary life were spent in giving herself in generous service in various countries including New Zealand and Chatham Islands, Tonga, Jamaica, Rome and the United States. Among her many ministries, Bette served as nurse in several smsm dispensaries, as Matron of a hostel for young Maori women and provincial councilor in New Zealand, and as coordinator for many of our smsm communities. She lived in our Belmont, Massachusetts community for a total of 10 years, during which time she served for three years as House Administrator and Manager for our 62 Newton Street community. At other moments, she taught English as a Second Language, was a Volunteer Pastoral Minister and Visitor at Waltham Deaconness Hospital and a visitor to Shut-ins in St. Luke’s Parish. For some years she was the coordinator of the Lay Marists in Belmont and participated in the Marist Camp in New Hampshire (run by the Marist Brothers).
Sr. Bette was thrilled when she was asked to give two years of community service in Rome. She never ceased to say that she loved every minute of it. After leaving Belmont, Bette lived in the Grove Street community and did outreach ministry in Maristhill Nursing Home. When Bette moved to Marillac Assisted Living in Wellesley Hills in 2013, she continued her missionary outreach to other residents and to the staff. She always knew who needed a visit and she never hesitated. When she needed more care, she moved to Elizabeth Seton Residence in 2023. Her attentiveness to the needs of those around her continued up until she died on March 2nd, three and a half months before her one hundredth birthday.
Sr. Bette was an extraordinarily generous person and everything she did was done with a smile. She didn’t gossip about anyone or tear them down. She always tried to find the good in the other because she believed that Jesus lived in each person… even the difficult ones. She had a smile and a kind or encouraging word for everyone. Whenever she was asked to do something, big or little, her response would be “My pleasure”, and she meant it. She accepted to do each task with joy… a true Marist.
Sr. Bette was a real “people’s person” who liked to be with, speak with and engage with others. Not being able to see or talk with anyone during Covid, being isolated in her room, was terrible for her. So, she made a point to knock on the door of everyone in her area and, speaking from a distance, she would ask how they were and give them an encouraging word. And not being able to attend the funerals of those who died at that time caused a great sadness in her.
In the past few years, Sr. Bette would sometime sadly say: “I don’t know why God is keeping me here at my age and taking others who are younger. I’m not useful anymore.” However, this sadness didn’t last too long and she would move on to a lighter topic.
Sr. Bette’s life was full – full of joy, full of happiness, full of generosity, full of years – almost 100. Amazing grace! Today we celebrate her life on earth and rejoice with her that she has entered into the fullness of eternal life with her Beloved, Jesus, and his Mother.
May she rest in peace forever.
In Jesus and Mary,
Sr. Palepa Ioane, smsm Sr. Georgeanne Marie Donovan, smsm
Regional Superior
