SISTER STEPHEN FRANCIS (nee MARY THERESA WALL)

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SISTER STEPHEN FRANCIS, S.N.J.M. (nee MARY THERESA WALL) Very peacefully, on April 27, 2002, after a brief illness, Sister Stephen Francis passed away at the Residence Jesus-Marie in St. Boniface. Sister was 76 years old. On March 26, Sister entered the hospital and learned, that same evening, the seriousness of her condition. The next morning, as she saw the Chaplain walking in the corridor, she called him. With the ingrained Irish faith that was one of her many beautiful traits, Sister fervently prepared herself to meet the Lord. During the following days, when many supportive family members and friends visited her, she reaffirmed her desire to answer generously her Masters last call. Sister Stephen Francis was predeceased by her parents, Julian (Mulcahy) and Stephen Francis Wall; by her sisters, Eileen McKim, Patricia Macauley; her brothers, Francis and James. She leaves to mourn her passing her sisters, Kathleen Fraser from Montreal; Sheila Paul (Maurice), and Marguerite Ashcroft; her brother Stephen and his wife Adele, all in Winnipeg; many dearly cherished nephews and nieces and the members of her religious order. Mary Theresa Wall studied with the Sisters of the Holy Names at St. Marys School and at St. Marys Academy in Winnipeg. In 1944, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy Names in Montreal. Two years later, on her return to Manitoba, she taught in the following Winnipeg parochial schools: Holy Cross, St. Ignatius, St. Marys, St. John Brebeuf, St. Gerard, St. Marys Academy, and in Kenora, ON. For numerous years, Sister was also very involved in "League for Life", a cause that she really took to heart and for which she spent many hours doing volunteer work. She never missed the "Walk for Life" and, every year, she would be sponsored by family, friends and Sisters of the Holy Names. She was determined to make a difference in this world. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to contribute to the St. Marys Academy Bursary Fund, 550 Wellington Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0C1 or to Sisters special charity, League for Life, 579 Des Meurons St., Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2P6. Prayers for Sister Stephen Francis will be held at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons St., at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29. The funeral will be at St. Ignatius Church on Tuesday, April 30 at 1:30 p.m. Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 233-4949; toll free 1-888-233-4949.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2002