Matthews, Sister Veronica
formerly Sister Agnes Michael, 90, a Sister of St. Martha of
Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland Antigonish, on
Tuesday November 21st, 2023, in the
66th year of her Religious
Life.
Born in
Eskasoni, Nova Scotia, Sister Veronica was the daughter of Michael
Matthews and Agnes (Jeddore) Matthews.
Sister
Veronica entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on
August 15, 1955, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1957, and her
perpetual profession of vows on August 15, 1960. Sr.
Veronica began her studies in nursing the year following her first
vows, which led to a lifelong career in Health Care. She
received her RN designation from St. Martha’s School of
Nursing in 1961, a Diploma in Pediatric Nursing from the IWK, Halifax
in 1966, a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing from Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, MD, in 1970 and a BScN from Dalhousie
University in 1981. She ministered at St. Martha’s
Regional Hospital, Antigonish; St. Rita’s Hospital, Sydney;
Eskasoni Community Health; Martha Home Health Care. She
served on several Boards and Committees, among them Aboriginal Nurses
of Canada; Eskasoni Health Board; Cancer Care Nova Scotia; Student
Advisory Committee, St. Francis Xavier
University.
Sr.
Veronica’s contributions to Health Care are
immeasurable. She worked diligently to help make sense of a
health care system, that in her words "I knew was not working for
my people." She never stopped working to remove
barriers to access, and in doing so began a diabetic program and
clinic for residents of Eskasoni, the first certified Aboriginal
Diabetic Clinic in Atlantic Canada. She was the recipient of
many awards, and recognitions, including an Honorary Doctorate from
St. Francis Xavier University.
A woman of
deep and abiding faith, she drew great strength from her
Mi’kmaq culture, spirituality, and traditions. Her
sense of justice was rooted in an understanding of the need for
reconciliation. She loved her Martha life, and she loved her
family.
Besides her
parents she was predeceased by sisters Mary Wrobel, Janet Matthews,
Mary Elizabeth Berube, Martha Matthews and Catherine
Stevens. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grand
nieces and nephews who were devoted to her, as she was to
them.
The remains
will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish, Monday November
27th, at 9:00 a.m., a Celebration of Vigil will
be held at 11:00am in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland
Antigonish. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on
the same day, Monday November 27th at 1:45 p.m.
in St. Martha Chapel.
Arrangements
are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish.
www.clcurry.com.