Obituary of Sister Jean Chisholm

CHISHOLM, Sister Jean, 90, formerly Sister Mary Ian, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the Motherhouse on January 1, 2018 in the 67th year of her religious life. Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late John Alexander (Jack) and Sarah Catherine (MacEachern) Chisholm. Sister Jean entered the Sisters of St. Martha on February 15, 1950, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1951 and made her perpetual commitment on August 15, 1954. Sister Jean served in various positions in the congregation as well as in the field of social work. Prior to entering the Congregation, she received a BA from St. Francis Xavier, and in 1954, Sister Jean obtained a Master of Social Work Degree from St. Francis Xavier University, and won an award from the Maritime School of Social Work for achieving the highest standing that year. She served in this ministry in both Sydney Mines, North Sydney, as well as the Little Flower Institute in Sydney, and in Boston at St. Martha’s Catholic Center. She served as a family counsellor for twenty-nine years, and served as Local Superior in many of the religious convents in which she lived. Sister Jean was elected to the General Council of the Congregation, and served on various committees within the Congregation, including as Apostolic Director, Director of Retirement and as General Secretary of the Congregation. In 1993 Sister Jean became part of St. Agnes Community in Little Dover, N.S., and was a pastoral presence in the area until 2003, when she retired to Bethany. A gentle, kind, and generous woman, Sr. Jean was quick to assist anyone who came to her for aid; her presence alone provided comfort and calm. She delighted in her family and they in her. Sister Jean was the third oldest in a family of thirteen. She is survived by sisters Sister Isabel, CND, Sydney; Mora LePage (Bruce), Lewiston, ME; Frances McCarthy (Dr. Frank) Lynnfield, MA; Ann, Antigonish; Sister Mary, CSM, Bethany; and by brothers, Leo (Kathleen), Antigonish; and Andrew (Pam) Ladysmith, BC. Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by sisters Ruth, of the Grail Movement, Elizabeth Claire who died at the age of two, and by brothers John, Lauchie, and Joey. The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning on Wednesday, January 3 at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, January 4, at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of MacIsaac Funeral Home, Antigonish, Nova Scotia.