Steele: Sister Florence, 87, formerly Sister Anne Michael, a
Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, Motherhouse on
Friday, November 28, 2014. She was in the 67th
year of her religious life.
Born in Dominion, NS, Sister Florence was one of ten children
of the late Michael and Mary Anne (Sutherland) Steele.
She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha in
1945 and made perpetual profession of vows in 1950. Prior to entering
the Congregation, Sister Florence did office work in the family
business following studies at Empire Business College, Sydney. Her
main academic achievements include: a Certificate in Hospital
Purchasing from the Catholic Hospital Association (1965), Business
Administration Diploma from St. Francis Xavier University (1970), a
Teaching Certificate in Business Administration (1975) and a Bachelor
of Education from the University of New Brunswick
(1977).
Following profession of vows, Sister Florence served in a
variety of capacities within the field of office management, these
included: secretarial, administration, bursar, and business manager.
Sister Florence spent considerable time serving the people of the West
(approximately 16 years) in Mineral Springs Hospital, Banff, AB, St.
Michael’s Hospitals, both in Lethbridge, AB, and Broadview,
SK. In the East, she served at St. Rita Hospital, Sydney. For seven
years, sister was bursar at St. Augustine’s Seminary,
Toronto and for four years was Chancellor for the Diocese of
Antigonish. Her volunteer work included: New Waterford Consolidated
Hospital, New Waterford, R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish,
Diocesan Religious Education Office, Sydney. Following her return to
Bethany and until her retirement, Sister Florence served as Purchasing
Agent at Bethany.
In Banff, fascinated by the mountains, Sister Florence could
be found venturing out in the early morning hours for a hike while
seeking to capture with her camera the ever new glimpses of the rising
sun over the snow capped mountains.
Sister Florence is survived by one brother, Joseph (Boston)
and two sisters, Theresa (Glace Bay) and Genevieve (Dominion). Sister
Florence was predeceased by four brothers, Angus, Dan, Dr. Bernie and
Rev. Harvey and two sisters, Evelyn and Mary Catherine
(Mae).
The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning Tuesday,
December 2, at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the
same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place
on Wednesday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany
Chapel.
Arrangements are under the direction of Curry’s
Funeral Home of Antigonish.