Sister Sarah MacPherson

Liturgy of Christian burial for the late Sister Sarah MacPherson, formerly Sister Hugh Marie, 101, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, was held March 9 in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland Antigonish, with Father Danny MacDonald officiating, assisted by Father Bill Crispo. Sister MacPherson died March 6, 2019, at Mary’s Court, Parkland Antigonish, in her 84th year of religious life. Cross bearer at the funeral Mass was Charles MacDonald. Pall carrier was Ada Hanifen. Readers were Willena Hanifen, Joey MacLeod and Joe Chesal. Theresa MacDonald and Frank MacDonald presented the offertory gifts. Music was provided by cantor Sister Catherine Ann MacGillivray, pianist Sheila Redden, violinist John Pellerin, piper Martin MacDonald and leader of song Sister Lillian Gaudet. Pallbearers were Gerard DeWolfe, Anna Frenette, Ernie MacDonald, Angela MacKeen, Ian MacPherson and Heather MacPherson. Born in Antigonish, she was one of nine children of the late John Vincent and Margaret Alice (MacDonald) MacPherson. Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha on September 8, 1933, pronounced her first vows on August 24, 1935, and her perpetual profession of vows on August 24, 1939. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, she spent most of her years in ministry as a teacher. Following her retirement from teaching, she served in parish work and did some historical research and writing for the congregation. In Nova Scotia, besides the Motherhouse, Sister Sarah lived and/or served at Catholic Charities, Sydney; St. Theresa’s Convent, Margaree; St. Alexander’s Convent, Main-A-Dieu; St. Joseph’s Convent, Dingwall; St. Ann’s Convent, Guysborough; St. Peter’s Convent, Ingonish; St. Andrew’s Rural High School, Antigonish. In Newfoundland she served in pastoral ministry in, Deer Lake, and St. Paul’s Inlet. She also taught for the Kirkaldy School Board, Scotland. Sister Sarah was community leader in several convents where she served. The word passionate only begins to describe how Sr. Sarah approached life, especially her role as an educator. The world was her classroom, and she its greatest student. Whether in the classroom or parish, on committees, in the community, or at congregation events, she brought the wisdom of the past into the conversation and helped to set a path for the future. Her beloved Scottish heritage was a source of pride and informed so much of her world view. She is survived by brother, John. She was predeceased by four sisters, Katherine MacLeod, Alice DeWolfe, Margaret MacDonald, Bridget Ronan; three brothers, Hugh, Angus, Gerard; many nieces and nephews. Online condolences: www.MacIsaacs.ca