Sister Maria Pius Keough

Liturgy of Christian burial for the late Sister Maria Pius Keough, 83, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, was held May 17 in St. Martha Chapel, Martha Place, with Father Gary MacPherson officiating. Sister Keough died May 14, 2018, in Strait Richmond Hospital, Evanston, in the 65th year of her religious life. Cross bearer at the funeral Mass was Sister Joan Walker. Pall carrier was Margie Horyl. Readers were Sister Loretta Gillis, Dr. Faisal Rahman and Sister Clotilda McIntyre. Sister Catherine MacFarlane and Sister Marie Smith presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by cantor Sister Claire MacNeil, leader of song Sister Lillian Gaudet, pianist Sheila Redden and instrumentalist Sister Florence Kennedy. Pallbearers were Frank Horyl, Earl Covir, James Mansfield, Gordon Gillis, Greg Gillis and Jerome Sullivan. Born in Whitney Pier, Cape Breton, and baptized Mary Hannah, she was one of 10 children of the late Andrew Joseph and Hannah Mary (Ryan) Keough. Sister Maria Pius entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1951, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1953, and pronounced her final vows on August 15, 1956. In 1955, she graduated from the provincial Normal College in Truro with her Teaching License, First Class. She ministered in education in Margaree and Alder Point. For many years, she lived with mental illness, and the stigma that goes with it. Her suffering was lived out in the context of her deep and unwavering faith in God. Her life of prayer was intentional and constant, the fruits of which were evident in the many ways she reached out to those who also lived with mental illness. She lived her life with courage, faith and determination. For the last few years, she lived in the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. Although living away from her Martha community, she was very connected to her Martha sisters, and they to her, through regular visits. She is survived by sister, Lenora, Glace Bay; two brothers, Daniel, Sydney; Leo, Mississauga, Ontario; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Harriet, Caroline; four brothers, Ethelbert, Pius, Patrick, Joseph.