Sr. Teresina McNeil
Passed on: December 1st, 2008
Antigonish Sr. Teresina McNeil, the former Sr. Hugh Teresina, 84, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the motherhouse, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, in the 66th year of her religious life. Born in Hillcrest, Alta., and baptized Anna Elizabeth, she was the daughter of Philip Roderick and Christina (MacDonald) McNeil. Sr. Teresina entered the Sisters of St. Martha, Aug. 15, 1941, pronounced her first vows Feb. 15, 1943, and her final vows Aug. 15, 1946. In 1947 she graduated and received her RN from St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Glace Bay. She held various positions within the field of health care during her religious life: as nurse, nursing service director, nursing school director and instructor, and as co-ordinator of hospital volunteers. Sister received her BA from St. Francis Xavier University, her master of science in nursing administration from Boston University and a certificate in administration of nursing service from the University of Toronto. While studying in Boston, Sister did volunteer work on a health care van ministering to people addicted to drugs. During her ministry in Nova Scotia she served at St. Joseph's in Glace Bay, St. Rita Hospital in Sydney, Martha Home Health and Bethany in Antigonish. In Alberta she served at St. Michael's Hospital in Lethbridge; and in Lowell, Mass. at St. John's Hospital. After her retirement from health-care services, Sr. Teresina did volunteer work in ministry with First Nations people in both Lethbridge, Alta., and Afton, N.S. Sister served two terms as local leader in communities where she lived. Sr. Teresina was the oldest of seven children. She is survived by her sister, Mary Elizabeth MacDonald and brothers, Alexander, Joseph and Philip. She was predeceased by brothers Hugh Philip and Morden Pius. The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held on that same evening at 7:30. Liturgy of Christian burial will take place Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at 2 p.m. in Bethany Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of MacIsaac Funeral Home, Antigonish.
