Sister Rebecca MacDonald

Funeral service for the late Sister Rebecca MacDonald, CND, 87, was held April 17 in St. Marguerite Bourgeoys with Father Bill Burke officiating. Burial was in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery, Antigonish. Sister MacDonald died April 12, 2019, at CND Health Care Centre, Sydney. Born June 19, 1931, in Antigonish, she was the daughter of the late Roderick Angus and Catherine Anne (MacInnis) MacDonald. Sister Rebecca entered the Congregation of Notre Dame in 1951 and made profession on August 19, 1953. She was an exceptional elementary school teacher, serving in Montreal, New Glasgow and Sydney. In 1970, recognizing the need for remedial reading in the school system, she was granted leave from the classroom to become a full-time remedial reading teacher. In 1980, she became a reading consultant/supervisor with the Northside Victoria School Board. Sister Rebecca loved her work and cared deeply for the many children she assisted throughout her years in public education. Her own love of English literature and the spoken word made her the consummate story teller. Upon retiring from the school system, she moved to St. Albert, Alberta, where she became involved in parish ministry. In 1989, she returned to the Maritimes and continued to volunteer her services at Mount St. Bernard, Antigonish, and later in Sydney. In 2005, due to declining health, she moved to the CND Health Care Centre where she continued her ministry of prayer, presence and companionship. Sister Rebecca is the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by sister-in-law, Gail MacDonald; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters, Sadie, Mary, Florence, Phyllis; three brothers, John J, Clement, Wilfred. Online condolences: www.twcurry.com