Sister Mary Evelyn Frances McGovern

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada is saddened to announce the death of Sister Evelyn McGovern March 13th, 2022, at Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa in her 71st year as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Mary Evelyn Frances was born in Ottawa in 1934, the daughter of the late Francis McGovern and Alfreda McCaffrey. She is predeceased by her brothers Irwin, Leo, Gerald and Keith and by her sisters Marcella (Cooper), Sister Shirley McGovern CSJ, Helen (Damiano) and Frances (McGovern).

Sister Evelyn will be remembered with love and missed by her nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, Sister Rosemary O’Toole and all the members of her religious family.

Evelyn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Peterborough in 1951 and took the religious name of Sister St. Teresa. For thirteen years her ministry was teaching music in Ottawa, St. Andrew’s West and Peterborough. Following further studies in psychology she became the Head of the Social Service Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Her next mission was a move to Ottawa, where she became qualified in Educational Counselling and in Theology. In Ottawa she used her skills to serve the economically poor, the disadvantaged, and refugees for twelve years as a parish social worker at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. She was also the coordinator of Primrose Residence providing Christian community for university women. Since 1984, she was co-director with Sister Rosemary O’Toole at The Upper Room Home of Prayer giving support and mentorship for those committed to the “Little Design” communities.

Sister Evelyn will be remembered as a woman of wisdom and integrity, who spoke with few words, a thoughtful and deep thinker, always with a generous sprinkling of humour.

Private Prayer Service will be held at Mount St. Joseph Chapel, Peterborough, ON, Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.

Public Visitation at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, Peterborough, ON, Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Visitors will be received from 3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Masks are required for all events.

Private Mass of the Resurrection Thursday, March 17th, 10:00 a.m. at Mount St. Joseph Chapel, 1555 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, ON.

Interment at Highland Park Cemetery, Peterborough, ON, following the funeral service.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Sister Evelyn McGovern can be made at www.csjcanada.org - Donation

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com.