Brother Knights
Please pray for the repose of the soul of my dearest Aunt who unselfishly gave her life to the Order of the Sisters, she will be dearly missed by many.
After a long life of dedicated and loving service, Sr Ellen Corcoran, Sister of the Cross, was welcomed into the loving arms of her God on Sunday, April 21, 2024. She was reunited with her parents, Patrick and Louise (Benistan), her brothers George, John (Angèle ), George, Patrick (Irma), James (Irène), Joseph (Cathy ), and Tom; her sisters Theresa (Marcel Packet ), Mary (Robert Stuart ) and Rita, as well as many members of her religious family. She leaves to mourn her passing, her brother Allan, many nephews and nieces, as well as Sisters of the Cross.
Sister Ellen was born September 5, 1926, on a farm south of Kinkaid Saskatchewan. After graduating from high school in Laflèche, Saskatchewan in 1944, she answered God’s call and started her religious formation with the Filles de la Croix in St-Adolphe, Manitoba. She made her first religious vows in August 1946 and her final vows five years later in 1951. Following her first vows, she went to Teachers’ College in Tuxedo, Winnipeg. She then embarked on a teaching career which spanned 35 years, teaching grades 1 to 12 in many different communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Creative, gentle and easily approachable, she was appreciated by the teaching staff and students alike who were always happy to meet up with her in later years or stay in touch by means of a telephone call, a letter or in person. Never one to stay idle for very long, she spent weekends and summer holidays teaching catechism, participating in the RCIA program and preparing youth camp retreats. She was also an active member of the Catholic Women’s League. Upon retirement from teaching in 1982, she spent the next 20 years devoting herself to the communities of Kamsack and Esterhazy Saskatchewan, and Swan River Manitoba doing pastoral work.
Sister Ellen moved back to Winnipeg in September 1994 where she continued to use her creative talents for the well-being of her religious sisters helping with the many small tasks that needed to be done: dishes, sewing, mending, work schedules to be prepared, organizing small parties, etc… Who does not remember her sitting at the reception desk answering the phone and opening the door to visitors, usually with her knitting, cross-stitch or embroidery work close by. This was not enough to keep Sr Ellen busy so she took up teaching English to immigrants and refugees. She was a caring, trusting woman whose love of God helped her to reach out to others and assist them in any way she could.
In December 2018, because of weakness and health concerns, Sr Ellen moved to Actionmarguerite St-Boniface where she resided until her death. Here as well, her faith and her kind nature helped her maintain a positive outlook, never complaining and always appreciating the services rendered to her. Special thanks to all the staff at 3DE Actionmarguerite St-Boniface for their loving care over the last six years.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Villa Aulneau, 601 Aulneau Street, on May 3, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., with viewing beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the St-Adolphe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Larry Packet, State Deputy, Saskatchewan
