Sister Geraldine Fodey
Passed on: May 17th, 2008
Sister Geraldine Fodey, formerly Sister Olivia Francis, 93, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the motherhouse, Saturday, May 17, 2008, in the 66th year of her religious life. Born in Regina, Sask., Sr. Geraldine was the oldest in a family of six children, the daughter of the late Francis Bernard and Olive Francis (Leeder) Fodey. Sr. Geraldine entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha Aug. 24, 1941, pronounced her first vows Feb. 15, 1943, and her perpetual profession of vows Aug. 15, 1946. Before entering the congregation, Sister obtained a secretarial certificate from Balfour Technical School in Regina and had six years working experience as secretary and office manager. She obtained a certificate in Medical Record Library service from the Canadian Hospital Association in 1958, and a diploma in Clinical Pastoral Studies in 1973 from St. John’s Hospital, Lowell, Mass. Sr. Geraldine ministered in health care administrative and Medical Record Librarian services from 1943 to 1971. She ministered in Nova Scotia at St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, in Western Canada at St. Michael’s Hospital, Lethbridge, Alta., and at St. Peter’s Hospital, Melville, Sask. From 1969 to 1971 she served the congregation as congregation secretary. Sister also worked in Blairmore, Alta. as a parish home visitor. Sr. Geraldine worked in pastoral ministry service from 1974 to 1999, ministering in Nova Scotia at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Glace Bay and St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish; in Alberta she served at St. Michaels’s Hospital, Lethbridge, and at Mineral Springs Hospital, Banff. Because of failing health, in 1999 Sr. Geraldine returned to Bethany, the motherhouse, in Antigonish, and in 2004 she moved into Bethany’s Extended Care. Sr. Geraldine was the oldest in a family of six children. She is survived by one sister, Beatrice Reagan of Flin Flon, Man. She was predeceased by one sister, Irene Garritty, and by three brothers, Fred, Harold and Ronald. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning Tuesday, May 20 at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place Wednesday, May 21 at 2 p.m. in Bethany Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of MacIsaac’s Funeral Home of Antigonish. www.MacIsaacs.ca
