MacDonald,
Sister Joseph Marie, 109, a
Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court,
Parkland Antigonish, on Sunday October
31st, 2021 in the
87th year of her Religious
Life.
Born
in New Waterford, NS, she was the daughter of the late Edward O. and
Mary Magdalen (Bennett) MacDonald.
Sister Joseph Marie entered the Sisters of St. Martha
on September 18, 1932, pronounced her first vows on July 9, 1934 and
her perpetual vows on September 3, 1937. She served in various phases
of homemaking, the pioneering work of the congregation. In Nova Scotia
she served at St. Martha’s Hospital, Marian Community, St.
Martha’s Convent, the Bishop’s Residence, and
House of Hope, all in Antigonish and at Christ the King Convent,
Trenton. In Cape Breton she served in Bras d’Or at Little
Flower Institute; in Sydney at St. Rita Hospital; St.
Alexander’s Convent, Main-a-Dieu; St. Peter’s
Convent, Ingonish, and Teachers’ Residence, Eskasoni. Sister
Joseph Marie also served at St. Martha’s Catholic Center,
Boston, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent, Kamloops, BC.
As a
religious, Sister Joseph Marie’s consistent leadership was
her fidelity to a life of community and prayer, to a life of
hospitality and generous giving. When she “retired”
to Bethany she would continue this way of being, and always had a
candy in her pocket to give to staff, sisters, and visitors. She
carried her welcoming spirit with her to Mary’s Court,
Parkland Antigonish. Her smile was genuine and infectious, she was
grateful for the smallest, simplest things.
Her
deep love for the people of Eskasoni remained with her as a comfort
and source of joy.
Sister Joseph Marie was the fifth oldest in a family
of thirteen children. She was the last surviving member of her
immediate family. She was predeceased by two siblings in infancy, and
sisters: Rita Carmella MacDonald, Genevieve Gardiner, Teresa McMillan,
Anne Mae McNeil, and Bridget Frances; and six brothers: Edward,
Francis, George, John Henry, Joseph and Charles. She is survived by
her devoted nephew and nieces and their families.
Following the recommendations and procedures required
during this time of COVID-19, the remains will rest at Martha
Place, Parkland Antigonish, where a private Celebration of Vigil will
be held followed by a private Liturgy of Christian Burial on Wednesday
November 3rd, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in Martha
Chapel. It will be streamed live by C.L. Curry Funeral Services of
Antigonish.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry
Funeral Home, Antigonish.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sister Joseph Marie MacDonald 1912 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia