Sister began her ministry, teaching elementary school and music in New York then returned to teach in Halifax and Shad Bay. Sister Helen used her business training in the Financial and Secretarial offices at the Halifax Infirmary, Mount Saint Vincent DePaul Centre and Pax Provincial House.
She was a well loved teacher who taught school for 41 years in Nova Scotia, Alberta, Labrador and New York. For fifteen of her years in Education she served as Principal in Herring Cove and then in Enfield. Sister Mary was highly respected by her students and their families for her compassionate dedication to learning and her commitment to ensure that every student received the education and personalized support they required to succeed.
Sister Josephine D’Agostino passed away on April 29, 2021 in Long Island, NY. The daughter of loving Italian parents, Mariana (Napolitano) and Paschal D’Agostino, Josephine maintained a deep relationship with her family all her life. Josephine Anna was born on March 1, 1936, on Staten Island, NY. From Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Staten Island, she entered the congregation at St. Joseph Convent, Halifax, NS, September 30, 1953. Sister Josephine’s teaching career began immediately after profession at St. Peter School in Lowell, MA., and she held teacher certification in both Nova Scotia and New York.
A Sister of Charity for 69 years who was missioned in Our Lady of the Angels School, Richmond Hill, NY; Saint Aidan School, Williston Park, NY. Saint Peter School, Dorchester; Saint Gregory School, Dorchester; Aids Care Center for Children, Roxbury; Youville Hospital, Cambridge; Saint Joseph Home, Dorchester; Elizabeth Seton Residence, Wellesley; Mount Saint Vincent, Wellesley.
Sister Joan Bernadette was missioned at Resurrection-Ascension School, Rego Park, NY from 1947-48 and 1954-1956; St Sylvester School, Brooklyn from 1948-53; Our Lady of Angels, Brooklyn from 1965-74; St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, Jamaica, NY from 1974-77. Sister Joan also ministered outside the Brooklyn Diocese in St. Barnabas School, Bellmore, NY; Mercy Hospital, NY; and Dominican Village Senior Residence, NY., Sister Joan Bernadette retired to and resided at Marillac Residence, Wellesley Hills, from 2001 until her death.
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.
A Sister of Charity for 56 years who was missioned in Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Vancouver, BC and locally in St. Michael School, North Andover, MA; St. Margaret School, Dorchester; St. Joseph School, Needham; St. Patrick School, Roxbury; Boston College, Chestnut Hill; Holy Name School, West Roxbury; Canton Public Schools, Canton.
Over the years, Sister Mary taught in Cape Breton, Halifax and Dartmouth, specializing in Home Economics, Elementary Education and Reading Resource. She served on the Provincial Elementary Language Arts Curriculum Committee. Following her time in education, Sister worked in parish ministry at Saint Stephen and St. John the Baptist parishes in Halifax.