Chafe, Sister Stella, formerly Sister Shaun Marie, 87, a Sister of Saint Martha of Antigonish, died at Saint Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, on Monday June 24, 2024, in the 67th year of her Religious Life.
Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Sister Stella was the daughter of John Robert and Bridget Mary (Bailey) Chafe.
Sister Stella 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. Stella was a lifelong educator having received her Diploma in Education in 1960, and a BA and BEd in 1973, both from St. Francis Xavier University, she began a long career as an educator and administrator. She was a teacher in Big Pond, Cape Breton, NS; Dingwall, Cape Breton, NS; Trenton, NS; Fort McMurray, AB, where she served as Vice Principal and Teacher; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kamloops, BC as Principal.
Sr. Stella was called to Leadership roles within the Congregation, serving as Local Leader; Apostolic Director; General Councillor; Community Leader of Bethany; Assistant Congregation Leader; and General Treasurer. She was a valued member of several Congregation committees, and Boards within the larger community. She also ministered at Martha Centre, in Lethbridge, AB and following her last term in Leadership, she lived in Inverness, Cape Breton, bringing her gifts of Hospitality and Presence to the community. She and Sr. Lucy MacNeil were dedicated to being a presence for the people of Inverness throughout the COVID Pandemic. When she moved to Parkland, Antigonish, she brought with her, Gospel Hospitality, a ready smile, and a deep sense of gratitude.
Sr. Stella was a woman of great compassion and empathy, prayerful and kind. She had an easy laugh that was infectious, and a sharp, strategic mind that could organize and plan anything from school administration to Congregation Chapters, to By-Laws for Boards. To call her a card player, is perhaps the greatest understatement. Some would say she was competitive, avid, voracious even. She would play anywhere, anytime, with anyone, and enjoyed the people more (almost) than the cards.
Sister Stella was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her sister Mary Marriot and brothers William, Thomas, Ronald, Raymund, Michael, Joseph, Edward, Bernard, Alphonsus, and John. She is survived by several devoted nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom she cherished.
The remains will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish, beginning Thursday June 27 at 4:00 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 6:00pm. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Friday June 28 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland, Antigonish.
Both the Celebration of Vigil and the Liturgy of Burial will be streamed live on the funeral home website.
Arrangements are under the direction of CL Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish.