Sister Mary Rankin
Born In: Inverness, Canada
Passed in: Sydney, Canada
Passed on: May 12th, 2014
Sister Florence Rankin, 93, died peacefully on May 12, 2014, at the CND Health Center in Sydney.
Born in Inverness, NS, she was the daughter of the late Michael Rankin and Agatha MacLennan. Sr. Florence made her religious profession in the Congregation of Notre Dame on Aug. 19, 1943.
She is survived by her brothers Steve (Carol), Halifax; Lawrence (Brenda), Edmonton, AB; and by sisters Wilma (Ben) MacIsaac, Hamilton, ON; Jessie MacIsaac, Hamilton, ON, and Joanne MacDonald, Hamilton, ON.
Besides her parents, sister Florence was predeceased by John Angus, Neil Angus and Mary Catherine in infancy and by sisters Peggy Chisholm and Chris MacMaster, brothers Joe (Alice), Peter (Patricia) and John.
Sister Florence was an educated woman. She was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and the Sorbonne in France. She attended St. Michael’s College in Vermont, and St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. Her many years of service were spent as a dedicated teacher. She taught in New Castle, NB, New Glasgow, Antigonish, Sydney, New Victoria, Sydney Mines and Inverness. In later years she faced health challenges and resided at the CND Health Centre. She never lost her sense of treating all with kindness and respect. Sister Florence was coordinator of Shalom House in Sydney Mines, a centre for women in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. She journeyed with the Associates in New Victoria. She also served as local teacher for her religious community and was deeply appreciated by her sisters.
Sister Florence will be fondly remembered by her sisters, family and friends as a woman of deep faith and prayer who has manifested genuine warmth, as well as compassion. To encounter Sr. Florence was to experience a warm smile and joyful welcome. She possessed a strong appreciation of her Scottish heritage. She loved the Scottish music and the Gaelic language. The music of the fiddle always succeeded to get some reaction, whether it be her hands keeping time or her feet remembering the many times she enjoyed dancing. St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again, Rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all.” These words reflect the way Sister Florence lived her life as a daughter, a sibling, an aunt, a religious, a teacher and a friend.
Visitation for Sr. Florence will take place at T.W. Curry Chapel on Thursday, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Bible Vigil at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian burial Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish (St. Joseph’s Church). Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com.
