SISTER MARCELLA RYAN
Sister Marcella Ryan
71, Mississauga, ON/Glace Bay
Sister Marcella Ryan passed away peacefully at the Trillium Health Center, Mississauga, ON, On Sunday May 29, 2011 after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. Born in Glace Bay, May 19, 1940, she was the daughter of the late William and Mary Agnes (MacIntyre) Ryan. She entered the Sisters of Charity, in Halifax in 1959. Marcella was first professed in 1962. Sister Marcella taught school for 17 years in NewWaterford and Glace Bay. She completed studies in Canon Law at St. Paul University, Ottawa and subsequently worked for 13 years in the marriage tribunals of Nelson, B.C., Montreal and Halifax. In 1996, Sister Marcella was elected to Congregational Leadership and served in this capacity for 6 years. From 2004 – 2006, she was Pastoral Assistant at Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga. Sister Marcella volunteered as settlement worker and tutor with recent immigrants. Besides the Sisters of her Congregation, she is survived by her sisters: Mary (Dennis) Milner, Barbara (Michael) MacCormack, Elaine Kalm, Annette (Fred) Orthwein; her brothers: Francis, Partrick (Sylvia), James (Liette), William (VIivian), John and sister-in-law Betty and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, sisters Geralda, June McNeil, Caroline McNeil, her brother D’Arcy, her sister-in-law Alice Ryan and brothers-in-law Charles McNeil and James McNeil. Special thanks to all the Sisters of Charity who supported and cared for Marcella throughout her illness. The viewing took place at the Turner and Porter Funeral Home Tuesday May 31, 2011 from 7 – 9 p.m. The funeral Mass was held June 1, 2011 at St. Patrick’s Church. A memorial Mass took place at the Caritas Residence, Halifax on June 6, 2011 with burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville, N.S. A Mass to celebrate the life of Sr. Marcella will be held at Holy Cross Church, Glace Bay on Monday evening June 20, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome. Donations may be sent to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at paddyryan35@yahoo.ca.
She was a Woman, A Very Special Woman,
Opening her heart and hands, listening in prayer,
Saying yes to all God asked, trusting in his care.
