Sister Adele Marie has made a significant contribution to education

Sister Adele Marie Hugue, OSF celebrated her 100th birthday on October 12.

Born in Long Island, New York, USA, Sister Adele Marie entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in 1933 and after a year and a half of Formation in Religious Life, she was missioned to Jamaica, arriving in Kingston by banana boat in 1934. She took up residence at 76 Duke Street where the sisters lived and conducted the Immaculate Conception Academy.

Sister Adele Marie never returned to the States to live. She has spent 77 years of her adult life as a Franciscan Sister of Allegany ministering to the people of Jamaica in the field of education. She taught at St Aloysius Primary in Kingston and Mt Alvernia High School in Montego Bay; but most of her teaching ministry was done at Immaculate Conception Preparatory and High schools at Constant Spring.

She was versatile in her teaching ability as she is known to have taught Latin, mathematics, art and religious education - the latter two subjects were her forte. She assisted in the administration of Immaculate Conception High School, worked in the Immaculate Conception Boarding School and for six years was the Mother Superior of the Mt Alvernia community of sisters in Montego Bay.

In her retirement, she has been edification for all who live with her, as her time is spent in constant prayer - fingering her beads as she quietly prays the rosary or praying out loud the Divine Praises. On Wednesday, October 12, she was present in the Chapel at Immaculate Conception Convent for the special Mass offered for her intentions.

In the midst of a small gathering of the Franciscan Sisters at Immaculate, a few of her past students, doctor, nurse, caregivers and friends. Sister Adele Marie, herself, led the gathering in the Grace Before Meals at the simple repast of her choice that followed.