Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
Bruce, Sister Shirley,
formerly Sister Mary Natalie, 93, a Sister of Saint Martha of
Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland, Antigonish, on
Wednesday February 12, 2025, in the 74th year
of her Religious Life.
Born in New
Waterford, Nova Scotia, Sister Shirley was the daughter of the late
Nathaniel and Mary (MacKenzie)
Bruce.
Sister
Shirley entered the Sisters of Saint Martha on February 15, 1949. She
pronounced her First Vows on February 15, 1951, and her Perpetual Vows
on August 15, 1954.
Sister
Shirley served at Bethany and Little Flower Institute in Sydney prior
to attending Nova Scotia Provincial Normal College from September 1952
to June 1953, obtaining First Class (Interim) Teaching License. From
1953 to 1971 she taught in schools in Ingonish, Margaree, St.
Peter’s, Eskasoni, and Dominion, all in Cape
Breton. During that time, she continued to study and in 1972
she received her B.A. Degree from St. Francis Xavier
University.
When Sister
Shirley’s mother died in 1977, she was on compassionate
leave living at home with her father in New Waterford and teaching in
the New Waterford School District from 1973 to 1992. She taught
children with disabilities who were in the New Dawn Program.
In 1992/93 Sister Shirley was on renewal and lived with our Sisters in
Kamloops, B.C. Upon her return from B.C., Sister lived in Sydney at
St. Rita Convent and continued her relationship with the New Dawn
Program as a volunteer. In 1996, she moved to Antigonish and
was the Purchasing Agent at Bethany, assisted with Religious Education
at St. Joseph’s Parish, and lived and worked at St.
Martha’s Hospital and Marian Community. Always
aware of the needs of others, in 2006 she served our Sisters as
Medical Driver at Bethany and later provided ministry to our sisters
and staff in Bethany’s General Office.
Sister’s life of service was ‘cut to the
quick’ in July of 2016 when she suffered a stroke. She
always maintained her cheerful demeanor and ready laugh. Her
time in Mary’s Court was peaceful, and she exuded gratitude
and joy to all who cared for her and shared life with
her.
Besides her
parents. Sister Shirley was predeceased by her sisters, Margaret
Bartlett and Naomi Savoni. She is survived by, and will be
greatly missed by, her sister Verna Burke, and many devoted members of
her extended family who showed great care and love to Sr.
Shirley.
The remains
will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish Tuesday, February
18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Vigil.
The Eulogy will be held at 11:00 a.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland
Antigonish. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on
the same day, February 18, beginning at 1:45 p.m. in St. Martha
Chapel, Parkland Antigonish.
Arrangements
are under the direction of CL Curry Funeral Services of
Antigonish.
1931 2025
Death notice for the town of: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice Sister Shirley Bruce 1931 2025
obituaries notice Sister Shirley Bruce 1931 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sister Shirley Bruce 1931 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
