Sister Mary Elizabeth Connelly

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, announces the death of our dear Sister Mary Connelly at Mount St. Joseph, Peterborough, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Mary was born in Kirkfield, Ontario in 1930. She was one of thirteen children.

Sister Mary is survived by her sisters Madeleine Pearson (late Ralph), Patricia Donnelly (late Bernard), Marcella Patterson (late Arnold), Anne and her husband Paul Hannivan, and her brothers Jim (late Donna), Murray and his wife Wendy, and brother-in-law Jim Kile. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Sister Mary is predeceased by her sisters Barbara (late Jack) Murphy, Eleanor Kile, Sheila (late Rae) Goarde. She is also predeceased by her brothers Dennis (late Frances), John and Patrick.

Sister Mary is predeceased by her parents, Annie (Foley) and Patrick James Connelly

She is lovingly remembered by the members of her religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peterborough in 1947 and was given the name Sister Constance. After completing her first-year Novitiate she was missioned to St. Vincent's Orphanage. In 1952 Sister Constance returned to the Mount take the nursing program at St. Joseph's School of Nursing. She was assigned to St. Joseph’s hospital in Parry Sound until 1960 at which time she transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan, Saskatchewan. While there she trained as a Head Nurse in Winnipeg. Returning to St. Joseph’s in Parry Sound she was General Supervisor, supervising the operating room. She continued to work for another year at the hospital after it was designated a long-term care facility. Returning to St. Joseph's Hospital, Peterborough, she continued to work as a Nursing Supervisor on evening or night shifts. In 1968 Sr. Constance reverted to her baptismal name of Mary.

Sister Mary took a post basic course in operating techniques at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto in 1969. For the next eleven years’ she held the position of Operating Room Supervisor at St. Joseph's Hospital, Peterborough (1969-82). She was the Local Leader for the duration of her stay at Medaille House, (1984 to 1988). Sister Mary was Nursing Supervisor until her retirement in 1993. She then became the tenant liaison at Inglewood Residence. In 1995 Sister Mary was elected to General Council for two terms, ending in 2003.

Sister Mary was a long-time friend and board member of the Health Services Foundation, formerly the St. Joseph’s General Hospital Foundation. She retired from the board in June 2014. “Our life as Sisters of St. Joseph in Peterborough is very fulling. It's been about health, education and social work," says Sister Connelly. "The people that are carrying on these works are still honouring our legacy."

Private Prayer Service will be held at St. Joseph’s Chapel Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 1:15 p.m.

Public Visitation at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre 356 Rubidge Street, Peterborough, Thursday, December 2, 2021. Visitors will be received from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Proof of full vaccination, along with government issued ID, are mandatory to attend indoor funeral services for those age 12 and older.

Mass of the Resurrection Friday, December 3, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains, 411 Reid St, Peterborough.

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

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Sister Mary Connelly can be made at www.csjcanada.org - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/49627/donation