Obituary of Sister Sarah MacPherson

MacPherson, Sister Sarah, formerly Sister Hugh Marie, 101, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland Antigonish on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in the 84th year of her Religious Life. Born in Antigonish, NS, 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, Sister 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, Sr. Sarah brought the wisdom of the past into the conversation and helped to set a path for the future. And of course, her beloved Scottish heritage was a source of pride and informed so much of her world view. Sister Sarah is survived by her brother John. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by sisters Katherine MacLeod, Alice DeWolf, Margaret MacDonald, Bridget Ronan, and brothers Hugh, Angus, and Gerard. She is also survived by many devoted nieces and nephews. The remains will be resting at Martha Place, beginning Friday, March 8 at 1:15 p.m., where a Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:00. Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. in St. Martha Chapel, Parkland Antigonish. Arrangements are under the direction of MacIsaac Funeral Home, of Antigonish