Sister Maureen began her teaching ministry in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1945 as a primary teacher. She returned to Halifax in 1947, continuing to teach primary grades at St. Patrick's for 11 years. Maureen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 and her Masters in English Literature in 1967 at Mount Saint Vincent University. She taught in Quebec for four years, then returned to Nova Scotia teaching various grades in the Halifax and Dartmouth area until 1975. In 1981, she received her Certificate in Theological Studies from Loyola University in Chicago. After retiring from teaching, Sister Maureen was the Director of Novices in the Canadian Novitiate and later Director of the Renewal Center at Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse, Halifax. Later, she worked part time at the Archives at Mount Saint Vincent. In 1988, Sister Maureen was elected to the Halifax Provincial Council of the Sisters of Charity, serving for four years. During those years, she was also a part time lecturer in children's literature at Mount Saint Vincent University and taught in the Mount's Literacy Program.

A Sister of Charity for 47 years who was missioned at Bon Secours Hospital, Methuen; St. John's Hospital; Family Counseling and Guidance Center; Cambridge Family and Children's, Lowell; Private Practice, Andover.

Sister Idella taught school for 25 years in Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Quebec.