MURPHY, Sister Mary
Sister Mary, formerly Sister Mary James, 87, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Martha Place/Mary’s Court, Parkland Antigonish, on Monday, April 23, 2018 in the 67th year of her religious life. Born in Glace Bay, NS, and baptized Mary Magdalen, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Mary J. (Murphy) Murphy.
Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1949, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1951, and pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1954. In 1954, Sister graduated from the provincial Normal College in Truro with her Teaching License, First Class. She continued to raise her license through Summer Schools at St. Francis Xavier University and Summer Block programs. In 1972, she received her Teaching License 4 and in 1974, she graduated with her B. Ed. from the University of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta. Sister Mary ministered in the education systems in both Nova Scotia and British Columbia. In Nova Scotia, she taught in Ingonish, Dingwall, Alder Point, East Bay, and Eskasoni. In British Columbia, she taught at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Kamloops.
In 1974, Sister Mary retired from teaching and continued to minister in housekeeping, clerical work, and as switchboard operator at Bethany, Antigonish, NS. She also ministered at Martha House and Campion College, Regina, SK; St. Augustine’s Seminary, Scarborough, ON; Martha Center, Lethbridge, AB; and St. Elizabeth Convent, Calgary, AB. Sister served as the local leader in five of the Local Communities in which she lived.
For the last several years Sister Mary ministered in a special way through her pain and suffering following a serious car accident. She was very supportive and present to her Martha Sisters with whom she shared community in Extended Care.
Sister was one of thirteen children. She was the last member of her immediate family. She is survived by sister-inlaw, Sheila, and many devoted nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
She was predeceased by sisters, Marie, Theresa MacDonald, Elizabeth McIntyre, Alice McIntyre, Agatha Pyke and Lucy Gregory, and brothers, James, William, John, Dave, Colin and Bernard.
The remains will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish, beginning on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in St. Martha Chapel at Martha Place.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.