Sr. Christine Marie BUSSAT
Jeannine Bussat (Sr. Christine Marie) was born in Annemasse on 22 October 1936. She was the eldest of seven children. From an early age, she showed great care and generosity towards her younger brothers and sisters, especially during her mother's illness and following her mother's death.
She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy in 1954 at the age of 18. She made her first profession in 1956 and her perpetual profession in 1960.
In 1963, she was sent to Lyon for two years of Catechists Formation. This training prepared her for her mission among children and their families in several parishes of the diocese, including Cran, Thônes, Ugine, Bellevaux and Seynod. Sr. Christine Marie was gifted with remarkable artistic talents. She had a special ability to highlight the theme of a gathering or celebration in ways that were beautiful, meaningful, and creatively accomplished. She also had the gift of bringing colour and life to every Bible story she shared. Painting, sewing and cooking held no secrets for her.
A woman of great determination, Sr. Christine Marie never allowed difficulties to discourage her. After every setback in health, she recovered with renewed energy and courage.
In 1995, she began a long period of service in the English Province. Over several years, she worked hard to learn English and also became familiar with computers. During this time, she became actively involved in the parish life, volunteered in various ministries, and shared moments of conversation and community prayer in French at a retreat centre.
She was someone who could always be relied upon to carry out every practical task entrusted to her with great care and perfection.
As the years passed, Sr. Christine Marie realised that she needed to make the decision to return to France before illness and increasing frailty would make such a return impossible.
In 2018, she joined the community at Thônes, where she continued to enjoy her favourite activities. Living closer to her family strengthened the bonds she had faithfully maintained over the years, as reflected in the many family photographs that adorned her room.
As she advanced in age, her health gradually declined, and in 2022 she moved to Grand Chêne. She greatly enjoyed taking part in the activities offered there, especially those that reflected her artistic sensitivity. Surrounded with love and care by her Sisters and her nieces during her final weeks, she peacefully departed this life on Monday, 20 July 2026.
Together with our Sisters of the English Province, we give thanks to God for the many gifts and talents that Sr. Christine Marie so generously cultivated and placed at the service of others.
May she rest in peace!