Sr. Coulon

Opelousas-Sister Vivian Marie Coulon, MSC (AKA Sister Catherine of Siena) was born December 28, 1923 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She died at 3:00 PM at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on February 14, 2015.

Sister Vivian was preceded in death by her parents Sophie Perrin Coulon and Whitney A. Coulon, Sr. and step-mother Flossie Parr Chauvin Coulon; and her brother, Lee.

She is survived by her sister, Marion Coulon Woniger and two brothers, Whitney Coulon, Jr. and Melvin Coulon.

Sister Vivian entered the Marianites of Holy Cross on August 30, 1942 and pronounced perpetual vows on August 12, 1947. She received her bachelor degree in education from Loyola University, her master's degree in theology from St. Mary's University and her master's degree in speech from Notre Dame University.

An avid, dedicated, and enthusiastic learner all her life, Sister Vivian loved to teach and nurture in others the desire to learn. She was involved in education at the elementary and high school levels in New Orleans, Houma, Ville Platte, Opelousas, Morgan City, Gretna, and Eunice. She used her educational skills and love of learning to touch and challenge the minds and hearts of students, parents, and other educators.

A natural leader, her talents and skills were applied in many and varied ways: as a member of the Marianite Constitution revision committee, as Provincial of the Louisiana province of Marianites, and as Congregational Leader of the entire Marianite congregation. In these roles, Sister Vivian was a healing presence to former members of the Congregation as she reached out to them and encouraged their participation in congregational activities. Devoted to the foundation and charism of the Congregation, Sister Vivian was involved in the inter-congregational activities of the religious Congregations of the Priests, Brothers, and Sisters of Holy Cross. She was also active in the Leadership Conference of Women Religious serving as regional chairperson and as a member of the National Board. Her energy knew few limits as she engaged in clown ministry, PAX Christi USA, Bread for the World, and the Religious Task Force for Central America. Sister Vivian infused creative and innovative ideas and strategies into all of her leadership and administrative experiences.

Following her time in congregational leadership, she offered her graces of a listening and compassionate heart and a deep desire to encourage prayer and discernment in others to the ministry of spiritual direction. Sister Vivian served as spiritual director in Baton Rouge, Covington, Rosaryville, New Orleans, and Alexandria. She also ministered as Assistant Director of the Maryhill Renewal Center in Pineville, Louisiana.

Committed to reaching those most in need, Sister Vivian embarked on another part of her life journey learning Spanish at the Mexican-American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas and Nueva Rosita, Mexico. She then ministered in Chiapas, Mexico and later with the Cuban refugees at the Guantanamo Military Base in Cuba. Her last years of active ministry were spent in the Diocese of Lafayette in the Office of Hispanic Ministry where she devoted her time and many gifts to the needs of the Spanish-speaking people from over twenty countries who had found a home in the Lafayette area. Due to declining health, her last years were spent at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas.

With a special gleam in her eyes and passion in her heart, Sister Vivian could inspire and challenge by a word, a gesture, a well prepared speech. However, her greatest means of inspiration consistently came through her actions where she lovingly and faithfully mirrored the justice and love of Jesus Christ in her life. Her final act of self-giving was the donation of her body to science.

A memorial mass celebrating her life will be held in Opelousas at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home Chapel on Friday, February 20th at 10:00 AM. A second memorial mass will be held in New Orleans on Saturday, February 28th at 4:00 PM at Holy Angels Chapel at 1011 Gallier Street.

In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that donations be made to the Marianite Retirement Fund at 1011 Gallier St., New Orleans, LA., 70117.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Service

Memorial Mass

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, February 20, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Memorial Mass

Holy Angels Chapel
1011 Gallier Street
New Orleans, LA  70117
Saturday, February 28, 2015
4:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions

1011 Gallier St.
New Orleans, LA  70117