Sister Noreen Bennett, (Sr. Evelyn Marie)...grade two and continued her studies after she entered the Congregation. She received her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto

Our Deceased CSJ-SSM Sisters who worked in Music Ministry

(For complete biographies, refer to the “Life Stories” Binders)

1

Sister Noreen Bennett, (Sr. Evelyn Marie)

Born: Toronto ON; 1916, Oct. 24; Entered: 1939, Sept. 3;

Died 2005, September 5

Music Studies: BA, MA in Education; High School Voice

Music Specialist

Ministry: Noreen was one of the first lay teachers hired at

St. Joseph’s College, North Bay. Besides choir, she taught

several high school subjects and was also a specialist in

Latin and Physics.

Sister Noreen was choir director at St. Joseph’s College, Mount St. Joseph’s and St.

Patrick’s High School in Fort William. Several recordings of these choirs are in our

CSJ-SSM Archives.

Sister Noreen was involved in music ministry for over forty years.

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Sister Lorraine Bogue, (Sr. M. Othelia)

Born: Québec City, QC;1918, Aug 13; Entered 1946 Aug. 2;

Died 2002 July 6

Music Studies: Music Teacher’s certificate, Elementary

School Teachers certificate

Ministry: While teaching in Elementary Schools in White

River, Thunder Bay and Wawa, Sister Lorraine also taught

piano to children and adults for over thirty years.



2

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Sister Mary Bernard, (Lorraine Boyce)

Born: Mattawa, ON; 1916, May 15; Entered: 1939, Sept. 8;

Died: 2012, October 11

Music Studies: Sister Mary Bernard completed her Associate

of Western Conservatory of Music (AWCM) at the

University of Western Ontario. She also earned her

Elementary School Teacher’s Certificate.

After 30 years of teaching music, in 1958 she began teaching in elementary schools,

also serving as Principal in several Northern Ontario Centres and Nassau.

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Sister Teresa Casey, (Sr. M. Maureen)

Born: Ottawa, ON; 1930, Feb.22; Entered: 1948, Sept. 4;

Died 2014, Aug. 10

Music Studies: Teresa Casey started her piano studies while in

grade two and continued her studies after she entered the

Congregation. She received her Associate of the Royal

Conservatory of Toronto in music (ARCT) in 1954.

Music Ministry: Her first music teaching assignment was at Sacred Heart Convent

in Sault Ste. Marie and she continued teaching piano for over 60 years in various

Northern Ontario cities receiving payment from students at the going rate. She ended

her music ministry at Algoma University Conservatory of Music where for 35 years

she instilled a great love of music in budding musicians. Teresa was also available

to direct and accompany several parish choirs, youth groups and community events.

In 1994 she returned

to the Motherhouse to prepare and accompany liturgies in the chapel at and Corpus

Christie Church. Teresa was also a generous volunteer in many other areas.



3

Sister Catherine Crawford, (Sr. M. Clotilde)

Born: Sudbury ON; 1933 June 28; Entered: 1951 Sept. 7

Died 1998 Sept. 11

Music Studies: Catherine early music studies are mainly

undocumented. She pursued advanced studies in music in

1967 for one year at Princeton, N.J.

Music Ministry: Catherine taught music and directed choirs at

St. Mary’s Academy, North Bay and Mount St. Joseph in Sault Ste. Marie. For

twenty three years she shared her faith and gifts as a pianist and beautiful singer with

Christ the King Parish and Sudbury community.

Sister M. Carmen (Bridget Theresa D’Arcy)

Born: North Bay ON; 1895, Jan. 14; Entered CSJ-PET

1917 Sept. 19; transferred in 1936 to CSJ-SSM.

Died: 1989 March 26

Music Studies: Sister Carmen entered the Peterborough

CSJ’s as a qualified music teacher. Her first assignment was

to Almonte. There were no music pupils there so she became

the cook! Her first music class was at St. Mary’s convent in 1919.

Ministry: Sister Carmen served as Local Leader in several convents while teaching

music 1919-36 in Peterborough Diocese. After The Sault Ste. Marie Congregation

was formed, she taught piano at Sacred Heart Convent, Sault Ste. Marie; St. Joseph’s

convent at Myles Street in Fort William; St. Joseph’s Convent, Port Arthur and St.

Mary’s Academy, North Bay. Sister Carmen helped students in these cities to

complete their music studies to qualify for their Associate of the Royal Conservatory

of Toronto (ARCT) diploma in music.



4

Dionne, Annette (Sr. Annette)

Born: Ville Marie, QC 1912 April 1; Entered 1941 July

2; Died Sept. 2, 1992

Music Studies: Annette took guitar courses during four

summers in Elliot Lake, Toronto and Ottawa. She also took

courses in social welfare and food service.

She had a beautiful singing voice.

Ministry: Sr. Annett worked in various ministries as Local

Leader, Housekeeper-homemaker, caring for boarders, orphans and visiting seniors.

During over 52 years she played sang and taught Guitar to many young people in

several cities: North Bay, Schreiber, SSM, Wawa and Thunder Bay.

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Facette, Jacqueline (Sr. M. Bernadine)

Born: Callander, ON 1929 Aug. 28; Entered 1946 July 2;

Died: 1990 Sept 12

Music Studies: ARCT, piano and theory, 1958,

Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Ontario.

Teachers Course and Group Training, 1966-67 at the

New School of Music Study, Princeton, N.J.

Ministry: Jacqueline taught piano and performed the violin In Thunder Bay, Sudbury

and North Bay.

She was involved in music ministry over 50 years retiring from music in 1984.

She served as Assistant Administrator, 1981-83; then Administrator, 1984-88, St.

Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay, Ontario, resigning in 1988 due to ill health.



5

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Fontaine, Eglantine (Sr. M. Omer)

Born: Montreal, QC 1900 Jan. 20; Entered PET.

Sept. 8, 1921; SSM 1936 Died Oct. 16, 2002

Music Studies: attained ARCT Cert.

Ministry: Sister Omer served over 50 years in music ministry,

teaching piano and theory in convents in Peterborough, Lindsay

and Northern Ontario centres.

In 1974 she retired from music ministry at Avila Centre, Thunder Bay to live at St.

Joseph’s Motherhouse in 1975 until her death in her 103rd year.

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Fortune, Mary Margaret (Sr. M. Emeria)

Born: St. Johns NL 1893 Aug. 8: Enter. PET 1912, Sept. 8:

SSM 1936 Died Aug. 6, 1984

Music Studies: completed ARCT Certificate.

Ministry: Sister Emeria taught piano, violin and voice for over

60 years in convents in Peterborough and cities in Northern

Ontario, spending 21 years in Thunder Bay. She retired to St.

Joseph’s Motherhouse Infirmary in 1981.

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Gaden, Emeria (Sr. M. Bonaventure)

Born: St. Johns NL 1883 July 12; Enter. PET. 1907Aug. 15: SSM 1936 Died

Oct.19, 1963

Music Studies: ATCM piano and violin with the Sisters of Mercy, St. Johns, NL

Sister Bonaventure taught piano and violin in Peterborough, Port Arthur, North Bay

and Sudbury.

Interesting fact: The statues of Mary and Joseph in Sacred Heat Chapel were gifts

from Sr. Bonaventure’s parents when the Motherhouse opened in 1939.



6

Harcourt, Dorothea (S. Adelaide)

Born: Arthur ON: 1909 April 15; Entered: 1954 Feb. 2;

Died: 2002 Sept. 26

Music Studies: Dorothea attended Loretto Abbey, Guelph,

for high school and music studies.

Ministry: She taught piano and played the organ in the

convents where she lived. She also ministered in various community services at St.

Mary’s Academy and at St. Joseph’s Hospital, North Bay, serving as switchboard

operator and driver. Dorothea also served as local leader in White River and Sault

Ste Marie. She did all with a gracious sense of humour and hospitality.

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Holden, Mary (Sr. M. St. Vincent)

Born: Monck Township (Bracebridge) July 26, 1894; Enter. PET 1921 June 26

SSM 1936; Died Oct.8, 1967

Music Studies: These are not documented.

Ministry: Sister St. Vincent taught piano in Peterborough and several Northern

Ontario cities. She was also Local Leader in several convents in Thunder Bay,

Schreiber and Sault Ste. Marie. She is remembered for her kindness.

Sadly, Sister died in a car accident on the way to Manitouwadge on Thanksgiving

Day. 1967.

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Jilbert, Rebecca, (Sr. M. Basilla) Born: Silver Islet (near Thunder

Bay) 1874, Jul 5; Entered CSJ-PET 1896, July 5; transferred to

CSJ-SSM 1936; Died 1965, Dec. 18

Music Studies: Gold Medalist in Piano and Theory

Music Ministry: She taught music in Lindsay, Cobourg, St. Andrews

West, Almonte Sudbury and Fort William.

Known for her ardour, courage, foresight, hospitality and confidence

in God, Sister Basilla was greatly admired and loved by all.



7

Lonergan, Mary, (Sister Mercedes)

Born: Warkworth (Trent Hills, central ON) 1881; Entered CSJ-

PET 1904, Aug. 8; transferred to CSJ-SSM in 1936; Died 1946,

May 19

Music Studies: Daughter of Irish immigrants, Sr. Mercedes was

educated at St. Joseph’s Academy, Lindsay, specializing in

music and obtaining her ATCM.

Music Ministry: Sr. Mercedes spent most of her years teaching music at St. Joseph’s

Convent, Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). Towards the end of her life she returned to

North Bay to continue her teaching at St. Joseph’s College. She died suddenly on a

Sunday morning after following her usual Saturday teaching routine.

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Morrow, Irene (Sr. M. Irene)

Born: Port Arthur, 1922 Sept. 9: Entered: 1948, Sept. 8;

Died 2019 March 3

Music Studies: Prior to entrance Sister Irene had attained her

ARCT in violin from the Toronto Conservatory of Music.

Following her novitiate she attained AWCM, Associate status

in Piano Music Pedagogy, London ON, UWO; Music

Consultant. Later on Sr. Irene went to Princeton New School

of Music where she earned her Master’s Diploma in Music

Pedagogy.

Ministry: Sister Irene taught, and was Music Program Director in Sudbury, Thunder

Bay, and at Lakehead Community School of Music. She adjudicated competitions,

was music examiner; celebrated with her successful students to the national level

and was a member of the violin section, Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. She was a

member of Art Association Board and ORMTA councils.

Sr. Irene was a recipient of the Huntington University, Sudbury, Honorary

Doctorate of Sacred Letters Award in 1987. She authored a new pedagogy program,

“New Directions” in seven books published by Waterloo Music Company.



8

Prunty, Eloise (Sr. M. Frances Therese)

Born: Kearney ON 1903 Nov.21: 1903 Entered: PET 1923 Sept.

8 and SSM 1936 Died 1970 Oct. 31

Music studies: ATCM, vocal, Gr. 10 piano,

Intermediate Supervisor Vocal Certificate for Elementary School

Music, and Vocal Music and Musical Chant at Pius X Music

School, New York.

Ministry: Sr. Frances Therese was a music teacher for over 40 years in Peterborough,

North Bay, Port Arthur and Sudbury.

She was a choir director in Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay spending her last

fourteen years in Sudbury where she was choir director at Christ the King Parish.

She retired in 1968 to volunteer at the Sudbury General Hospital.

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Reynolds, Margaret Ann (Sr. St. Andrew)

Born: Madawaska, ON 1896; Enter. PET. 1915 Mar. 1 and

SSM 1936 Died 1986, Nov. 12

Music studies: ARCT Certificate in music.

Ministry: Sister St. Andrew taught music in several northern

Ontario centres for over 50 years.

She was also a Local leader at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay; Mount

St. Joseph; Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.



9

Rose, Marilyn (Sr. Magdalen)

Born: Copper Cliff, ON 1939 Mar. 8: Entered: 1957 Feb.

15: Died 1995 Oct. 4

Music Studies: Sister Marilyn studied for her ARCT and

AWCM while teaching Kindergarten and Elementary school

classes.

Ministry: She taught elementary school classes for over 30 yrs.

While directing school and church choirs she also worked as a cook in small

convents. She also involved herself in Parish work with small youth groups and

directed choirs.

While suffering from paraplegia following routine surgery, Marilyn taught piano and

music therapy in a wheelchair for over 15 yrs until illness took her to the

Motherhouse Infirmary in North Bay 1991.

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Sabatini, Teresa (S. St. Anthony)

Born: Port Arthur, ON 1925 Oct 17; Entered 1942,

Sept. 8; Died 2006 Feb. 4

Music studies: B.A. Ottawa University in 1953. After

attaining her Teaching Certificate, Teresa took courses in

education and guidance; voice instruction and school music.

Teresa enjoyed a study tour to Italy and France in 1968.

Ministry: She successfully directed school choirs in North

Bay and Thunder Bay while serving as principal and teaching in elementary and high

school for over 40 years.

Following her retirement in 1989 Teresa set up the Thunder Bay Diocesan Archives

and was appointed for 5 year term as Consulter, Cultural Heritage of Church.



10

Stokes, Marie (Sr. St. Mark)

Born: Schreiber, ON, 1932 April 5: Entered: 1950 Feb. 9;

Died: 2017 April 3 2017

Music studies: Western Ontario Conservatory of music,

1957 London ON. University of Calgary, 1981; Diploma in

Music Therapy, Capilano College, Calgary, AB; Accredited

by Canadian College of Music Therapy, 1992.

Ministry: Taught piano in cities in the Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay Dioceses;

Worked as lecturer and practitioner in Music Therapy in Ontario, Vancouver,

Richmond and Burnaby B.C., Involved for over 50 years in variety of music

ministries. Marie relocated to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse in North Bay due to ill

health in 2008.

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Taylor, Mona (Sr. Gabriel)

Born: Wales, UK 1904, Dec. 1: Entered 1937 Sept. 18:

Died: 1994 Aug. 6

Mona’s immigrant family settled in Fort William ON when

she was 9 years old.

Music studies: ARCT; advanced degrees in voice; pedagogy;

Instrumental music. 1968-69 updated pedagogy in

Vancouver; Had Business College education and worked in Guelph prior to

entrance.

Mona taught piano, violin and theory for over 50 yrs. in several centres across

Northern Ontario including Sudbury. She ministered in Thunder Bay from 1970 to

1992, retiring from active ministry in 1992, returning to the Motherhouse in 1993

due to illness.



11

Thompson, Theresa (Sr. Pascal)

Born: Bracebridge ON; 1923 Nov. 18; Entered:

1942, Sept. 8; Died: 2000 Nov. 13

Music Studies: Music Studies not documented.

Permanent Teachers Certificate 1972; B.A.

Lakehead U. 1978

Pastoral Care CPE. Whitby and Halifax hospitals.

Ministry: Sr. Theresa taught music in primary grades along the North Shore serving

as Music supervisor in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste Marie from 1963 to1970. She

directed several choirs including those in Schools of Nursing. She also served also

ministered in Pastoral care at the Sudbury General Hospital;

After 40 yrs. in school and hospital ministry she retired to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse

in 1976 due to ill health where she was still able to assist with the Liturgy for several

years.

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Tyne, Inez Marie (Sr. M. Inez )

Born: Chelmsford ON, 1910 May 9: Entered 1940 Sept. 8;

Died 1993 Oct. 26

Music Studies: Inez Marie studied at the Toronto Conservatory

of Music receiving her ATCM in 1957.

Ministry: Sr. Inez Marie taught piano in North Bay, Schreiber,

Elliot Lake, Fort William and Port Arthur. She was also an

excellent pianist herself. She retired in 1980 after 40 yrs. in music ministry.

Sr. Inez Marie enjoyed many lasting friendships resulting from her calm serene

manner and willingness to help others. Due to illness she moved to the Motherhouse

in 1986.

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12

Urlocker, Annie (Sr. M. Placidia)

Born: Chippewa (Thorold) ON; 1869 March 24; Entered; CSJ-PET 1890, Dec. 8:

transferred in 1936 to CSJ-SSM; Died 1959 April 27

Sister Placidia’s music studies are not recorded.

For over 50 years she taught music in Lindsay, Almonte and Fort William. Her

students profited by and imbibed her love of music and her deep love of God

especially in the last years of her music ministry at St. Mary’s Academy, North Bay.

Sr. Placidia retired to the Infirmary at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse in 1952.

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Weiler, Elizabeth (S. M. Helena)

Born: Shantz Station (Kitchener-Waterloo);

1916 Sept. 21; Entered 1946 Sept 8; Died

2009 Jan. 30

Music Studies: In 1937 Sr. Elizabeth began

formal music lessons in Waterloo. She also

studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music;

as well as in London and Princeton, N.J.

Sister Elizabeth was a very accomplished violinist.

Sr. Elizabeth taught piano and violin in convents; at Mount St. Joseph in Sault St.

Marie, and for eighteen years at Avila Centre Music School, Thunder Bay.

Sr. Elizabeth retired in 1995 to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse where she served as an

organist.



13

Welsh, Mona (Sr. Anthony Daniel) Born;

Newmarket ON; 1921, Aug. 21; Entered: 1952

Feb. 14; Died: 2009 June 15

Music Studies and related areas: University of Regina, Fine

Arts degree; Ottawa U:

Summer Sessions in Printmaking at Canadore College;

University of Milwaukee, Japanese printmaking; Chinese

Brush painting.

Earned a Permanent Teachers Cert. and taught in elementary schools.

Held position of Principal in SSM, Thunder Bay and Killarney.

Sister Anthony Daniel (“AD” as she was known), presented several art shows in

Sudbury. She also directed several School Choirs and entered yearly choir

competitions. She taught Grade 4 piano. She also taught classical guitar in Sturgeon

Falls. Last teaching position was Gr. 5 classes including Art lessons in Sudbury.

After retirement in 1993 she taught Art to seniors and handicapped persons at

Participation House in Sudbury. She went on several excursions and especially

appreciated her pilgrimage to Lourdes in France and several other Shrines.

In 1998 she moved to St. Joseph’s Residence in Sudbury and continued to teach art

and to visit shut-ins. In 2005 she retired to the Motherhouse due to illness.

Sister Noreen Bennett, (Sr. Evelyn Marie)...grade two and continued her studies after she entered the Congregation. She received her Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto

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