MacNeil: Sister Anne Cecilia, 96, a
Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, Motherhouse on
Thursday, November 19, 2015. She was in the
56th year of religious
life.
Born in Iona, NS, Sister Anne Cecilia was the
youngest of ten children of the late Alexander P. and Mary (MacLeod)
MacNeil.
Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St.
Martha on February 15, 1957, pronounced her first vows in 1959, and
made perpetual profession of vows on August 15,
1962.
Prior to entering the Congregation of the Sisters of
St. Martha, Sister Anne Cecilia was employed by the Canadian Naval
Service which brought her to Halifax and Sydney, NS, Ottawa, ON, and
Montreal, QC. She received a Certificate in Placement and E.R.
Advisory from the U.S. Air Force, University of Denver. During these
years, she was employed by the U.S. Air Force which brought her to
Goose Bay, NL and Greenland.
Following her entrance with the Sisters of St.
Martha, Sister Anne Cecilia ministered in the main office at Bethany
Motherhouse and at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Glace Bay, NS.
After completing training through the Catholic Hospital Association in
both Hospital Personnel Management (April 1963) and Hospital
Organization and Management (May 1965), Sister Anne Cecilia began
nineteen years of Hospital Administration at St. Martha’s
Hospital where she was Assistant Administrator for the next three
years. She then went on as Administrator in Mineral Springs Hospital,
Banff, AB (three years) and back home to Antigonish, NS at St.
Martha’s Regional Hospital (seven years). Following a year
of renewal, Sister Anne Cecilia was Administrator at the R. K.
MacDonald Nursing Home (six years). Once retired from her work as
Administrator, she continued reaching out to those in need by serving
in Parish Ministry at Assumption Parish in Lethbridge, AB and Christ
the King Parish in Trenton, NS. Returning to hospital ministry, she
was Director of Pastoral Care Mineral Springs, Banff, AB. Her last
years in active ministry were spent at St. Martha’s Hospital
and Bethany, offering the skills of her lifetime wherever
needed.
For all who knew her, Sister Anne Cecilia was ever a
proud Scot and a gracious lady. Her sense of responsibility in
ministry was often lightened by the anticipated joy of a trip to Iona.
She will be fondly remembered as an eager learner ever ready to share
her giftedness with others.
Sister Anne Cecilia was the last surviving member of
her immediate family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by six
brothers, Norman, Malcolm, John, James, Dan, and Angus and three
sisters, Mary Anne, Cecilia, and Alice. During her long illness, her
life was deeply enriched by the faithful presence of her two nieces,
Pauline and Betty.
The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning
Friday, November 20, 2015 at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil
will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian
Burial will take place on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. in
Bethany Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry
Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences:
www.clcurry.com.