R. Evelyn (LaRusic) Lindsey
Born In: Saint Margaret's Village, Nova Scotia, Canada
Born: September 16th, 1929
Passed in: Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: February 14th, 2012
Rose Evelyn (LaRusic) Lindsey died in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish, on Feb. 14, 2012.
Evelyn was born in Saint Margaret’s Village on Sept. 16, 1929, the daughter of the late Patrick and Lena (Capstick) LaRusic.
She attended school in Bay St. Lawrence and graduated from St. Andrew’s School, Antigonish County, in 1947.
She was a member of the congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha from 1947 to 1971. During that time she was the business office manager at St. Rita and St. Martha’s hospitals. From 1961 to 1970, she was assistant administrator at St. John’s Hospital in Lowell, Mass. During her tenure at this new mission for the congregation, she was responsible for the building program at the hospital.
She graduated with a bachelor of arts with majors in sociology and business from Merrimac College in 1971 and from the University of Minnesota with a masters of health administration and did her professional residency at the University of California, San Francisco in 1973. From 1974-1980, she was associate administrator at Nashua Memorial Hospital in New Hampshire, where she helped establish two family practice clinics.
She returned to Antigonish in 1981 where she and her husband, Lester Lindsey, were proprietors of the Valley View Motel. Evelyn was the first lay administrator of the RK MacDonald Nursing Home from 1986 until her retirement in 1997. During her tenure, two units, Grace Hall and Martha’s Place, were opened.
Evelyn was dedicated and actively involved in many roles in church, community and professional organizations. She served as sacristan at St. Ninian’s Cathedral and on committees of the parish council and the Catholic Women’s League. Evelyn was involved in the organization of the Antigonish Town & County Community Health Board and served as the first chairperson of the organization. She also was a member of the Research Ethics Board of the Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority. She had a special interest and commitment to the Antigonish County Adult Learning Association.
She was an active member of the Associated Homes for Special Care and a regional director for the Eastern Shore district. Evelyn served on the executive of the chamber of commerce and volunteered at the Antigonish Food Bank, and contributed to other organizations such as Health Connections and The People’s Place Library. Evelyn was the recipient of the Community Outreach Advocacy award in 2007.
She is survived by her sister, Theresa (George) Turner, Neils Harbour; brothers, Ignatius (Jill Torres) LaRusic, Montreal, Jim (Millie) LaRusic, St. Margaret’s Village, Joe (Liz) LaRusic, Vancouver; and Lester’s children, Fred and Rose Lindsey, Dick and Shirley Lindsey, Susanne and Gibby Lloy, and Mary Ellen and Bruce Alicandro and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lester, sisters, Anne McEvoy, Mary Chenier, Rita MacDougall, Sr. Patrice CSM, Josephine MacLean, bothers, Emery, Tim and Anthony.
Visitation will be held Friday, Feb.17, 2012, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College St., Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Ninian’s Cathedral with Rev. Andrew Boyd officiating. Interment will be in St. Ninian’s Cemetery. Reception to follow at St. Ninian’s Place.
No flowers by request. Donations may be made to the Antigonish Food Bank, the Antigonish Town and County Palliative Care Society, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
