SISTER MARY RICHARDS

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SISTER MARY RICHARDS, RGS Religious of the Good Shepherd She loved life and lived it to the full! After a brief bout with cancer, on the morning of January 21, 2007, at the Seven Oaks Hospital, Sister Mary Richards returned to the Lord for whom she served for many years. Mary was born in Dover, England on April 28, 1911. Soon after her birth, her parents, the late Albert and Violet Richards, came to Canada and settled in Winnipeg, where she grew up with her three younger brothers, Everard, Bert and Justin. Mary attended school in St. James, Norwood, as well as St. Mary's Academy. She was in the work force some years before she joined the Sisters of the Good Shepherd whose house of formation was in Halifax. During her 60 years of Religious Life, she devoted her energy to the young and old in the many ministries of the Good Shepherd Sisters across Canada. She brought a spirit of joy and a sense of humour to community life. She loved music and tried to instill this love of music to her students. She taught them piano, organized choirs and presented operettas. She herself participated in choirs including the Winnipeg Philharmonic for many years. In her later years she devoted much of her time and energy visiting the sick and the shut-ins around Winnipeg. She cared for the Elderly Sisters in the Infirmary with love and devotion. Even in her 70's and 80's she visited the elderly in their residences and nursing homes daily with a spirit of enthusiasm and hospitality. She prayed often, bringing the needs of many before the Lord. She was very involved with Vietnamese Families when they arrived in Canada, helping them adjust to a new culture and learn the ways of family life in their new found land. Mary was the eldest in the family and was predeceased by her two brothers, Ev and Bert. She is survived by one brother Justin (Dianne); a dear sister-in-law Mrs. Mary Richards and nephews and nieces, Marlene Perreault, Gary (Joyce), Fred (Yvette), Justin (Dennis Rioux), Michael, Chris (Colleen), Judy, Dix, Peter (Diane), Simon, Timothy (Debora) and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews. Thanks to the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital, Unit 1, Level 5, for their enduring care and kind attention. A prayer service will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church (West Kildonan), 250 Burrin Ave., Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, corner of Osborne and 249 Arnold Ave., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Marymound Endowment Fund, c/o Marymound Inc., 442 Scotia St., Winnipeg, MB R2V 1X4. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 23, 2007