Obituary of Sister Louise Sullivan

Sister Louise Frances Sullivan died peacefully on March 27, 2008 at the age of 92, having faithfully lived seventy-one years as a Sister of Charity of St. Louis. Sister Louise was born on February 2, 1916 in a sod house on her grandfather Niles’ homestead near Elbow, SK. She was predeceased in her early childhood by her mother Frances, and a few years later by her father John. Over the years she also lost her brothers Ron, Daniel, John and Louis. A few years after the death of her parents Sister Louise became a boarder at St. Theresa’s Academy, Medicine Hat and lived there until she graduated in 1934. In August of that year she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis and travelled to Bienville, QC to begin her novitiate. Her training years completed, she made her first profession of religious vows and, as Sister Frances Cecelia, returned to Western Canada in 1937. She attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, SK and obtained her teaching certificate. She began her teaching ministry in Swift Current, SK. in 1938. Subsequently, she taught in Wilcox, Medicine Hat, Radville, Melville, Burnaby and Moose Jaw. Sr. Louise’s ministry in the classroom encompassed thirty-one years, however she never stopped being a teacher and an educator. After “retirement” Sr. Louise embraced volunteer services with enthusiasm and generosity. Among these activities were visits to hospitals and nursing homes, tutoring, teaching English to new Canadians, Native ministry, and the list goes on. Sister Louise will be remembered for her gentle and generous spirit, her keen interest in history and literature, her compassion for those who are suffering, her lovely singing voice, her capacity for deep thought and her ability to share her wisdom with simplicity. She will be lovingly remembered by the members of her religious community and her extended family of cousins, nephews and nieces. The Sisters of Charity of St. Louis extend their thanks to the staff at St. John’s Senior Care Home for the kind and gentle care they gave to Sister Louise, and to the staff and members of Club 36 who brought Louise so much joy each day she went to “work”. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. John’s Senior Care Home Chapel (409 – 10A Street N.W.) on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (640 – 19th Avenue N.W.) on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.. Graveside Service to follow in St. Joseph’s Section at Queen’s Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Elizabeth House, P.O. Box 23173 Mission RPO, Calgary, AB T2S 3B1. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Sister Louise Sullivan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.