Sr. Germaine Chabot, SP
January 17, 1919 - July 4, 2017
Obituary
GERMAINE CHABOT, SP
(Sister Germaine of the Seven Dolors)
Sister Germaine Chabot, age 98, a Sister of Providence for 80 years, died July 4, 2017, at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA. Vigil Service: Sunday, July 9, 2017, at 6:30 PM, and Funeral Mass: Monday, July 10, 2017, at 11:00 AM, both at St. Joseph Residence, 4800 37th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA, after Mass and reception. Bonney Watson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Germaine Laura Chabot was born January 17, 1919 to Charles and Zelema (Barbeau) Chabot, in Clarence Creek, Ontario, Canada. She was raised in a strong Catholic family with a French education and was the sixth of nine children.
Germaine entered the Sisters of Providence in November 1936 in Montreal, Quebec, and in May 1937, she became a novice. In November 1938 she professed first vows and received the name Sister Germaine of Seven Dolors, and in November 1942 she professed final vows.
Following her first profession in November of 1938 Sister Germaine was missioned to Sacred Heart Province in Washington, where she worked for three years in the dietary unit at Mount St. Vincent, Seattle. From 1941-44 she was a staff assistant at Providence Medford Medical Center, OR; and St. Patrick High School, Walla Walla, WA where she graduated in June 1944. Because of her interest in nursing, in August, Germaine entered nurses training at St. Joseph Hospital in Vancouver, WA and obtained her nursing certification in August 1947.
Sr. Germaine’s ministry of 45 years was in nursing and administration in numerous institutions. From 1947-55 she was a nurse in Oregon: Portland – Providence St. Vincent Medical Center; and in Washington: Vancouver – St. Joseph Hospital; Yakima – Providence Medical Center (aka St. Elizabeth Hospital); Everett – Providence Hospital. From 1955-67, Sr. Germaine continued her health care ministry as an administrator-superior in Washington: Olympia – St. Peter Hospital; Seattle – Providence Medical Center; Everett – Providence Hospital; and Yakima – St. Elizabeth Hospital. On August 6, 1965 she was formally accepted to the American College of Hospital Administrators, in San Francisco, CA.
From September 1967- August 1992, Sr. Germaine ministered in pastoral care at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska; and Providence Portland Medical Center, Oregon, where she was also a member of the hospital’s administrative council. While in Portland she took the opportunity to complete the Clinical Pastoral Education Program in Oakland, California, in 1980. Subsequently, she received certification as a member of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
In 1978 Sr. Germaine had the opportunity to take a cultural trip to Italy, Egypt, Greece and the Holy Land which was an enriching and spiritual experience.
Some of Sr. Germaine’s hobbies were listening to music, art, calligraphy, sewing, knitting afghans and sweaters, walking, cooking and “especially rendering service to others.” In September 1992 she retired in Portland, OR, at Providence Medical Center Convent, and in September 2006 she moved to St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, where she enjoyed and cherished spending time with family, friends and her sisters in community.
Sr. Germaine is preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her sister, Jeanne Chabot from Rockland, Ontario, Canada, and nieces.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
I had the privilege to know Sr. Germaine while at Providence Portland Medical Center. She was a regular influence and presence in Administration and with our team. She was loved by many.
I would add a memory of her admiration for the Portland Trailblazers and how much fun we all had with her!
What a wonderful women who will be missed dearly. God bless and keep her.