Sr. Frances Rochette

January 4, 1937 - May 5, 2022

Sister Frances Rochette RSM, (Irene Marie Joyce Rochette) age 85 of Grand Rapids, after a brief illness, went home to Jesus Christ whom she served faithfully for 67 years as a Sister of Mercy. She was preceded in death by her parents Loretta Gamache and Emile Rochette. She is survived by her sister Elaine Piotrowicz, brother-in-law Ed Piotrowiez of Mecosta, MI, their family, and the Sisters of Mercy Community. Sister Frances devoted her life to caring for the sick. After receiving her high school diploma from Mercy High School, Detroit she entered the Sisters of Mercy Community. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercy College of Detroit then ministered as a staff nurse at Mercy Hospital, Muskegon, and a psychiatric supervisor at Mercy Sanitarium, Dyer Indiana. Following this hospital experience, she completed her MSN at Wayne State University and then taught for five years at Mercy College of Detroit. She studied one summer as a pre-doctoral student at Boston University and in 1972 received her Doctor of Nursing Science from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. She rejoined the faculty at Mercy College of Detroit as Associate Professor and also served as a personal counselor to students. In 2000 when Mercy College of Detroit partnered with Aquinas College and Saint Mary’s Mercy Hospital in Grand Rapids to offer a newly designed RN to BSN program, Sister Frances was appointed to serve as Director of this pioneering program. Her legacy of ministering to the sick is carried on by the many nursing students who serve today throughout West Michigan and beyond. Upon retirement from her ministry as a psychiatric nurse and educator, Sister Frances volunteered at Heartside Ministries and at God’s Kitchen, Grand Rapids. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday May 10th 11AM at Holy Spirit Church, with Rev. Mark Peacock officiating. Visitation one hour before Mass at the church, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions to the Sisters of Mercy will be appreciated.