Obituary
HITTEL, Sr. Emily
Sister Emily (Aemilia) Marie Hittel, osu, (Prelate) was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God at Samaritan Place in Saskatoon, SK on April 16, 2020 at the age of 90 years. The daughter of John and Gertrude (Volk) Hittel , Emily was born in Leader, SK on December 25, 1929. Emily enjoyed her childhood life on the farm, in the Liebenthal area, along with her five sisters and five brothers. In 1945, at the age of sixteen, she left home for St. Angela’s Academy. There she began her formation for religious life, professing her Perpetual Vows on August 15, 1951, while also completing her high school classes and studying music, piano practical as well as the required theoretical subjects. For about twenty-five years she devoted her time and energy to classroom music, both choral and glee club, choirs, private piano lessons, theoretical subjects, organist and accompanist in Liebenthal, Tramping Lake, Primate, Billimun, Denzil, Revenue, Quinton, Viscount, Goodsoil, and Prelate. In 1976 Emily experienced a desire to pursue further studies, enrolling in the Bachelor of Education degree program at the University of Regina, specializing in music, psychology and religion. Following her graduation in Regina in 1980, she began a new journey as pastoral assistant at Sacred Heart and St. Michael’s Parishes in Swift Current. After four years of parish work she returned to studies which took her to the University of San Francisco (1985-1987) and the Graduate Theological Union from the University of California in Berkeley (1987) where she completed her Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and a Master of Arts in Applied Spirituality. Academic studies were enriched with experiential challenges at U.S.F. Opportunities to enrich her spiritual life began with the experience of a 30 day retreat in Victoria. Ten years later Emily was privileged with a 36 day retreat in Los Altos, a Jesuit Retreat Centre in California. In the fall of 1999 Emily was granted a sabbatical year in the “Ministry to Ministers” program in San Antonio, Texas. Along with this experience came the extraordinary privilege of being present in Rome for the Great Jubilee Year celebrations – Christmas Eve Mass, celebrated by Pope John Paul ll, and the opening of the Holy Door. The New Year ushered in even further privileges – Holy Hour at “ECCE HOMO”; a candlelight vigil at GETHSEMANE and a festive New Year’s Eve Mass in JERUSALEM. All these privileged experiences were followed by a Renewal Program at Berakah – a place of blessing, in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, thus bringing to conclusion her sabbatical time. In the fall of 2003 Emily was privileged to join a group of Ursulines and Ursuline Associates for an “Angela Pilgrimage” exploring Ursuline roots in Italy and France. From 1987 to 2006 Sister Emily served as Co-ordinator of Adult Religious Education, and as Parish and Pastoral Administrator in Estevan, St. Walburg, Gull Lake/Tompkins, areas of ministry which were interrupted only by her one year sabbatical. Emily’s life of service and ministry was halted due to illness in 2006 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a debilitating illness which Emily endured valiantly. She was in care at St. Angela Merici Residence, Samaritan Place, Trinity Manor, Extendicare and back at Samaritan Place under the watchful guardianship of Sister Louisa Brost. The Hittel family and the Ursuline Sisters are most grateful for all the kind and loving care which Sister Emily received. Left to cherish her memory are her Ursuline Sisters, her brother Joe (Rachel), and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father in 1967, her mother in 1988, her brothers Mike (Mary), Bernard (Anne), Pius, and Anton (Margaret) and her sisters Elizabeth (Joseph), Katherine (Maynard), Frances (William), Rose (William) and Mary (Martin). There will be no funeral at this time. A Memorial Celebration will be held when circumstances permit. Arrangements in care of David Schurr – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306) 978-5200.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sr Emily Hittel April 16 2020..
Mourning Glory Funeral Services
Death notice for the town of: Saskatoon, Province: Saskatchewan