Mission is our passion

Sister Marie-Thérèse FROIDEVAUX

1933-2026

Born in Switzerland, Marie-Thérèse entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles postulancy in 1955. Her first mission was to Togo, beginning in 1961. She then served in Ivory Coast and Chad before returning to France in 1995. There, she was entrusted with, among other things, the literacy of Algerian and Kurdish women in the Guillotière district of Lyon. In 2018, she joined the Jesuit retirement home near Lyon, and later the community of the NDA retirement home in Colmar.

Sister Suzanne Marie-Thérèse CHON

1926-2026

Sister Suzanne Marie-Thérèse Chon, who took her vows with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles in 1960, died in Haute-Goulaine on February 5, 2026. Her missions took her to Ivory Coast, then Vénissieux, Lourdes, Les Avenières, and finally Erquy. She joined the community in Haute-Goulaine in December 2005 to continue her mission there.

Sister Chantal DARTOIS

1943-2025

Sister Chantal Dartois passed away on December 24, 2025, in Montferrier at the age of 83, after 58 years of religious life. She carried out her missionary work in Egypt, Italy (as assistant, secretary general, and superior general), Algeria, and France. Our Sister led a full missionary life of service in various countries. She generously gave her time, courage, and devotion in everything she was and did. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of her life in service to others, with her faithfulness to God. “…All your life you were a woman of service, dressed in the garb of service; you could only give and give of yourself…” MHG

Sister Françoise KOWALCZYK

1927-2025

Sister Françoise Kowalczyk passed away on January 14, 2026, in Lyon, at the age of 98, after 66 years of religious life. She carried out her missionary work in Ivory Coast, Chad, and France. Our Sister was born on September 25, 1927, in Szamotuly, Poland, and became a French citizen in 1974. We wish to express our gratitude to God for the gift of Sister Françoise's life in His service, and for the gift of herself that her family gave to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles.

Sister Marie-Françoise BARRAL BACHUS

1930-2025

Sister Marie-Françoise Barral Bachus was born on July 28, 1930, in Chambéry (Savoie). She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles in 1951. She had been a religious sister for 71 years. She died on October 30, 2025, in Montferrier. Marie-Françoise carried out her missionary work in Togo for 7 years and in Ivory Coast for 35 years. She was a teacher and school principal and held various responsibilities within the Province of France. Let us cherish the memory of our Sister Marie-Françoise, that we may grow in faith and hope, trusting in the word and prayer of Christ to his Father: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am." She was laid to rest on November 3, 2025, in Montferrier.

Sister Germaine VIEILLE

1935-2025

Sister Germaine Vieille was born on February 25, 1935, in Gros Bois (Doubs). She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles in 1961. She had been a religious for 62 years. She died on March 18, 2025, in Colmar. She carried out her missionary life in Benin for 31 years and in Chad for 8 years as a nurse and regional leader. St. Matthew reminds us in his Gospel: “…the greatest among you will be your servant.” Her life was dedicated to serving the poorest. She loved to pray her rosary every day. Thank you, Sister Germaine, for having loved us so much, for having been a missionary to the very end, in your suffering place, full of friendship and hope. She was buried on March 21, 2025, in Colmar.

Sister Marie-Thérèse TARDY

1941-2024

Sister Marie-Thérèse Tardy was born on June 2, 1941, in Izieux (Saint-Étienne). She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles in 1961. She celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in March 2024 (60 years of religious life) and died on December 21, 2024, in Haguenau. She dedicated 35 years of her missionary life to teaching in Benin, catechesis, women's ministry, chaplaincy in secondary schools, and as regional superior for Benin, as well as serving in Chad and France. She was buried on December 27, 2024, in Haguenau. “…What you have given will remain of you…” Simone Veil

Sister Michelle JEANNEROT

1927-2025

Sister Michelle Jeannerot was born on March 6, 1927, in Besançon (Doubs). She entered the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles in 1949. She had 73 years of religious life. She died on January 27, 2025, at the Saint Francis of Assisi nursing home in Lyon. She carried out her missionary work in Egypt for 10 years, in Quebec as a formator, in Italy for 9 years as archivist for the Congregation of Our Lady of the Apostles, and in France. She was buried on February 3, 2025, in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon. "To return to God as one returns home, at the end of each day, at the end of our journeys, and find near Him the rest of my heart…" Robert Lebel