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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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LeMaire, BVM
Sister Charmaine LeMaire, BVM, 84, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the Marian Hall Chapel with a prayer service at 11 a.m. The funeral liturgy begins at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dubuque.
Sister Charmaine spent nearly 50 years serving in the Cedar Rapids community. From 1959 to 1962 she taught at St. Patrick school. At LaSalle High School, she was a teacher and counselor from 1964 to 89. She began there shortly after LaSalle opened and retired a year before it closed.
But Sister Charmaine never really retired. She mentored students in Kiwanis Key Clubs while teaching at LaSalle and served as Kiwanis secretary for most of her retirement years. As a volunteer tutor, she helped students at Kirkwood Community College with math and chemistry, and was a reader for the visually impaired.
Her commitment to assisting homeless families and children helped in the creation of the Inn Circle project which converted a hotel into transitional housing units.
In 2009, Sister Charmaine won the Rozie Schermerhorn Award presented by the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program to an individual who has provided exemplary service and acts as an advocate for low-income people. Her work as a board member of the Homeless Children's Trust helped in the establishment of a special “Sister Charmaine” fund, ensuring that school necessities will be provided to homeless children.
A talented artist, Sister Charmaine made ceramic pieces that earned trophies from the Iowa Ceramics Association.
Sister Charmaine also taught in Rock Island, Ill., Chicago and in Clinton, Iowa.
She was born Nov. 25, 1925, in Blue Island, Ill., to William and Isabel Zehner LeMaire. She entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1945. She professed first vows on March 19, 1948, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1953.
Her parents and a brother, William LeMaire, preceded her in death.
She is survived by a sister, Charmaine Errico of Oak Lawn, Ill., and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 64 years.
Memorials may be given to the Sisters of Charity, BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Dr., Dubuque, IA 52003, or online at
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