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McCOLGAN, Sister Norean (Mother M. St. Edward)

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It is with great sadness that The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie announce the death of Sister Norean McColgan (Mother M. St. Edward) in the Infirmary of St. Joseph’s Motherhouse on Monday, December 8, 2003. Sister Norean was born in Quyon, Quebec and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie in 1938. A teacher, Norean taught in North Bay and Sudbury during her early years in the congregation. She was Directress of Boarders at St. Joseph’s College, North Bay from 1945-1952. In 1952 she was appointed Directress of Novices for the congregation. Sister Norean was elected Superior General of the Congregation in 1962, a position she held until 1974. During this time she guided and nurtured the congregation through the changes to religious life initiated by Vatican II. In 1978 she was elected Assistant Superior General and served the congregation in the capacity until 1982. During this time she continued her involvement with the formation of new members. Following her leadership ministry within the congregation Sister Norean became a member of the Pastoral Services Team at Sudbury General Hospital. Sister Norean retired from this ministry in 1992 and after a sabbatical returned to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse. As well as her ongoing ministry with the congregation. Sister Norean served in many other capacities. As a women of profound courage and wisdom she was instrumental and a founding member of the Federation of The Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. In 1974 she was appointed Vicar of Religious Women in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. She was a member and President of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, a member of the Committee on Family Life, the Committee on Spiritual Renewal Ministry and a member of the Board of the Catholic Centre in Sudbury. Dearly loved by many, we remember her ongoing encouragement, challenge and legacy to live our life attentive to the inner self, always remembering “always more, always better and always with love”. Sister Norean is survived by a sister, Anne Kennedy, brother-in-law Leo Kennedy, sister-in-law Shirley McColgan and Reta McColgan, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Edward McColgan and Maude Landon, brothers Ed, Arnold and Msgr. Charles McColgan, sisters Bessie McColgan, Geraldine Joyce, Maudella Charbonneau, Catherine Dunlop, Margaret Farnand, and Terry O’Brien. Sister Norean’s body will be received in the Holy Family Chapel, St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, at 2 pm today, December 10, 2003. A wake service will be held at 7:30 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, at 11 am Thursday, December 11, 2003. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Bay.



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