BEST, Sister Wilma

Sister Wilma Best, formerly Sister Mary Lucina, 74, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland, Antigonish on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in the 53rd year of her religious life.

Her place of birth was Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, and Dingwall, Nova Scotia was her home. Sr. Wilma was the oldest of two daughters born to Wilfred Roy and Mae (Duggan) Best.

Sister Wilma entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on September 15, 1962. She pronounced her first temporary vows on August 15, 1965 and her perpetual vows on July 2, 1970. In 1970 she received her Junior Diploma in Education from St. Francis Xavier University, adding a further Diploma in Special Education from Dalhousie University, Halifax, in 1974. In 1981 she graduated with a BA and BEd from St. Francis Xavier. Sister Wilma taught in several areas in which the Congregation was present. In Nova Scotia, she taught in Guysborough County, Pictou County, and Eskasoni. She also taught in Fort McMurray, AB. Her devotion to students who needed more assistance and a different approach to learning was evident in the many fond memories and stories that she shared. Sister Wilma moved more fully into Parish Ministry and received a Diploma in Parish Liturgy from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, in 1996. From the early 1990’s until 2009, her gifts were shared in several parishes in the Diocese of Antigonish as well as in Chaplaincy at Cape Breton University. She also served the congregation in several capacities including as local Superior and General Councillor. She was living and ministering in Inverness, Cape Breton, until illness brought her to Martha Place/ Mary’s Court in Antigonish in 2018.

Sister Wilma brought a sense of humour and a practical approach to life wherever she was sent. Her compassionate and prayerful presence was a comfort for individual people as well as the communities in which she lived and served. She loved history and learning the stories of people and their communities, and this provided Sister Wilma with a deep sense of connection to the world around her.

Sister Wilma was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her sister, Marguerite and her husband, Geoff Nash; niece, Jacqueline and her husband Jeremy, each to whom she was devoted and they to her.

The remains will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish, beginning Friday, November 30th at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held that same evening at 7 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday December 1st, at 1 p.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland Antigonish.

Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish.

Online condolences: www. clcurry.com.