CUMBERLAND – Mercy Sister Mary Noel Blute, 88, a former teacher and administrator, died Oct. 20, at Mount St. Rita Health Centre after a long illness.
Born in Fall River, Mass., she was baptized Eleanor Marie Blute, and was the daughter of the late James and Mary E. (Cox) Blute. Sister Blute earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the former Catholic Teachers College in Providence; a Bachelor of Arts in English and Latin from Salve Regina College (now University), Newport; and a Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.
She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1941 and professed her vows on August 16, 1947. Sister Blute’s teaching ministries included the former St. Charles School, Woonsocket; the former St. Mary School, Pawtucket; St. Theresa School, Pawtucket; the former Sts. Peter and Paul School, West Warwick; the former St. Matthew School, Cranston; Bishop Feehan High School in North Attleboro, Mass.; and Salve Regina University.
In 1973, Sister Blute was elected to the Provincial Council of the Sisters of Mercy and then returned to Bishop Feehan High School in 1976. She was elected Provincial Administrator in 1979 and served 6 years in that capacity. In 1987 until 1999, she served as Vicar for Religious in the Diocese of Fall River. Sister Blute subsequently served in pastoral ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Fall River, before retiring in 2000.
She is survived by a brother, Edward Blute of Harwich, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late James Blute, M.D., and Joseph Blute.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 24 in Mount St. Rita Chapel. Burial was in Island Pond Cemetery, Harwich, Mass.
