It is with sadness, The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie announce the death of Sister Noreen Bennett (Sister Evelyn Marie) on Wednesday, September 7, 2005, in the Infirmary of St. Joseph's Motherhouse, North Bay, surrounded by her community. Born in Toronto, Sister Noreen graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. degree and taught at St. Joseph's College prior to entering The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie in September, 1939. Sister Noreen's chief ministry throughout her community life was teaching. She taught at St. Joseph's College, North Bay; St. Patrick's High School, Thunder Bay and Mount St. Joseph College, Sault Ste. Marie where her festival choirs received top honours. Following retirement from teaching, Sister Noreen continued her ministry in Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. She returned to St. Joseph's Motherhouse in 1990 taking up Archivist duties for the congregation until her health declined. Sister Noreen was predeceased by her parents, William Augustine Bennett and Anne Marie Evelyn Uttenweiler, brothers Joseph David Bennett and Augistine Bernard Bennett. She is survived by brothers William M. Bennett and wife Dolena, Colin M. Bennett, Reverend Christopher J. Bennett and John F. Bennett, wife Marjorie; sister Evelyn Marie Bennett; sisters-in-law Mrs. Marie Bennett and Mrs. Mary Bennett, as well as many nieces and nephews. Sister Noreen will be remembered and celebrated as teacher, artist, archivist, photographer, musician, secretary and poet. The body of Sister Noreen will be received at 2 p.m. today, September 8 in the Holy Family Chapel, St. Joseph's Motherhouse. A prayer vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. this evening. Her funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2005 in the Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Joseph's Motherhouse, North Bay, Ontario. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, North Bay. "May Sister Noreen rest in peace"
