MacDonald, Sister Edna, formerly Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland, Antigonish, on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in the 64th year of her Religious Life.
Born in Judique, Inverness County, Nova Scotia, Sister Edna was the daughter of the late Angus and Christina Ann (MacDonell) MacDonald.
Sister Edna entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1958. She pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1960, and her perpetual vows on August 15, 1965. From the beginning her religious life Sr. Edna combined the ministries of homemaking and catechetical education, feeding the body and soul. In her early years she was missioned as homemaker and then moved into religious education full time. She was missioned in several locations across Canada. In Cape Breton: Main-a-Dieu; Glace Bay; Margaree; Bras d’Or; Dominion; and Ingonish. She was also in Guysborough, NS and Kamloops, BC, serving as Local Leader in both communities. She spent 17 years living and working in Pictou County, specifically Trenton and Westville, also serving as Local Leader. Sr. Edna received a Diploma in Religious Education and spent time some sabbatical time in Toronto where she took courses at Regis College and St. Michael’s College.
True to our pioneering spirit of homemaking, Sr. Edna was always ready to welcome anyone she encountered. She loved to journey with people in their faith and spent many years accompanying those who were in the RCIA program. A kind and compassionate listener, visiting people in their homes was part of her approach to faith development, which included a cup of tea and biscuit. She was dedicated to the Martha Associate Group in Trenton, considering them an important part of the Martha community. Sr. Edna’s love of her Scottish heritage was evident to all who knew her. She loved a good jig and a reel and using her Gaelic when the opportunity arose.
Sister Edna was the last member of her immediate family. Besides her parents she was predeceased by sisters Christina Ann, Sadie Mae, Florence, Catherine, and Annie, and brothers John R., Donald, Alex, Archie and Lawrence. She is survived by many loving and devoted nieces, and nephews and their families, as well as her cousins and extended family.
The remains will be resting at Martha Place, Parkland Antigonish, Tuesday July 9 at .9:00 a.m., a Celebration of Vigil and Eulogy will be held at 11:00 a.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland Antigonish. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on the same day, Tuesday July 9 at beginning at 1:30 p.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland Antigonish.
Arrangements are under the direction of CL Curry Funeral Services of Antigonish.