Sr. Anastasia Byrne
Passed on: April 14th, 2008
96, Antigonish Sr. Anastasia Byrne, 96, formerly Sr. Rose Theresa, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, on Monday, April 14, 2008, in the 69th year of her religious life. Born in Dilke, Sask., she was the daughter of the late Patrick Thomas and Anna Theresa (Peterson) Byrne. Sr. Anastasia entered the congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on Feb. 3, 1938, pronounced her first vows on Aug. 24, 1939, and her final profession of vows on Aug. 14, 1944. Her ministry and service were in various areas of homemaking, in office and catechetical works, as well as in parish visiting and pastoral care. She received diplomas in office skills and in pastoral and hospital visiting. In Nova Scotia, Sr. Anastasia lived and served at St. Charles Convent, Dominion; Catholic Charities, Sydney, Little Flower Institute, Bras d’Or; in Antigonish at Bethany, Bishop’s residence, R.K. MacDonald Guest House and St. Martha’s Hospital. In Western Canada she served in Alberta at St. Alphonsus Convent, Blairmore and Holy Spirit Parish in Calgary; in Regina, Sask., at Martha House and in North Kamloops, B.C., at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent. Sr. Anastasia was the youngest of five children and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by a brother, Ernest and three sisters, Ruth Gemmall, Jean Foley and Ester Marie. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. The remains will be resting at Bethany beginning Thursday afternoon, April 17, 2008, at 1:15 p.m. where a celebration of vigil will be held on that same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 18, at 2 p.m. in Bethany Chapel. Online condolences at www.clcurry.com.
