Sister Mary Gauthier OLM

SISTER MARY GAUTHIER, OLM died peacefully on October 5, 2024 at Presentation Manor, Scarborough after a lengthy illness. Predeceased by parents John and Ethel (McMahon) Gauthier and sisters; Frances (Ken) Kutschke, Janet (Al) Gallant, and Joan (Duncan) McDonald, Mary is remembered with love and gratitude by her many nieces and nephews and her sisters in the Congregation of Our Lady’s Missionaries.

Mary was born in Alexandria, Ontario where she attended school. She entered Our Lady’s Missionaries in 1956. She studied at St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto, continuing to work there after graduating in 1962. In 1966 Mary and three other OLM sisters opened a mission in Southern Leyte, Philippines. There Mary ministered in health care, participated in the building of a hospital in the town of Hinundayan and in the initiation of a community-based health program as well as working with a group of community organizers. When the community moved to Mindanao, Mary’s ministries included pastoral care and education in health and care of creation in the towns of Gingoog, Binuangan and Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental.

When the mission in the Philippines ended in 2010, Mary returned to Canada. In 2012 she spent a year in pastoral ministry with Scarboro Lay Missioners in Georgetown, Guyana.

Mary also served on the OLM leadership team in Toronto for a total of sixteen years at different times. In 2018 Mary moved with the OLM community to Presentation Manor Retirement Residence where she continued to serve as a member of the community’s Health Committee. Whether in Canada, the Philippines or Guyana Mary was always concerned for those most in need and worked with commitment for peace and justice and care of creation. Mary was a spiritual and joyful woman who was a caring presence to all she met.

A prayer service will be held on Friday October 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Presentation Manor, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough. A Mass of Celebration of Life will be offered on Saturday October 12 at 11:45 a.m. in the chapel at Presentation Manor. Friends may join via livestream at: https://ipickart.com/stream/SisterMaryGauthierOLM/

Interment, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at a later date.