MARIE BOUHOURD / 1899-2004

Nun was committed
to helping isle children

CORRECTION Friday, September 17, 2004 » Sister Marie Urbain Bouhourd died Monday at 104. Her name was misspelled in a story on Page C8 yesterday. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

Sister Marie Urban Bouhourd, who taught hundreds of island children during her 78 years in Hawaii, died Monday at the age of 104.

Bouhourd, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts, was a teacher and house mother for children in foster care at St. Anthony's Orphanage in Kalihi Valley, and later for boarding students attending the former Sacred Hearts school in Nuuanu. She taught grades 1 and 2 and also taught sewing to older girls.

She was born in Grand Fougeray, France, and came to Hawaii in 1926. She became a United States citizen in 1948.

"She was the last of the French sisters who were missioned to Hawaii and also was the last French missionary sister in the whole congregation worldwide," said Sister Helene Wood, provincial of the Hawaii congregation. Bouhourd was one of 126 Sacred Hearts nuns from Europe, including 84 from France, who lived out their days in Hawaii.

"She took care of a lot of young children," Wood said. "She is one of the sisters who spent their lives committed to service. ... It wasn't about them, but who they could help.

"For me personally, sister was just a witness of growing old gracefully, feeling her sense of worth," Wood said. "Even in her sickness, she had a certain acceptance that wasn't a despairing kind of acceptance, but was fruitful. ... It was to be lived and not just moaned about. She had a sense of humor to the end."

Bouhourd's life, which spanned three centuries, will be celebrated in services at Malia O Ka Malu convent chapel, 1117 7th Ave. Friends may call from 4 to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. The rosary and vespers will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the eulogy at 6:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. tomorrow and again at 7 a.m. Saturday. Burial will be at 9 a.m. in Hawaiian Memorial Park.