06.04.2012 02:55 PM

My Auntie Bea

They held her funeral today, sooner than I’d expected.  I couldn’t get there on time.  She was the original feminist nun, and such a remarkable person.  I love her and will miss her very much.

Beatrice KEEGAN
KEEGAN, Sister Beatrice C.S.C.
(Sister Mary Francis Ann)
A Sister of Holy Cross, Sister Bea, daughter of Frank Keegan and Ann Anderson, died on May 31st, 2012 at the Ottawa Civic Hospital at the age of 85, having celebrated 68 years in religious life. In addition to her Holy Cross family, Sr. Bea is mourned by her sister Ellen Laverty (Frank), her brother Ernest Keegan (Fran), nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and by the Kinsella and Shenahan families. Sister Bea was predeceased by her parents and by her siblings Edward (Marnie) and Denis (Margaret). Sister Bea’s special gift was the education of young children. Teaching the little ones endeared her to many who to this very day remember with great fondness their Grade One teacher! As teacher and as pastoral worker she ministered in Smithers, Lake Cowichan, B.C.: Renfrew, Ottawa, Alexandria, St. Catharine’s, ON; and in Montreal, P.Q., her birthplace! She was well-loved by those who knew her, especially by her aboriginal friends on Canada’s west coast. Visitation will be held at the Kelly Funeral Home, 2313 Carling Avenue, Ottawa from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 4, at 10 a.m. at St. Basil’s Church, 899 Maitland Avenue, Ottawa. Burial will be at the Sisters of Holy Cross cemetery in Montreal after a prayer service at St. Joseph Pavilion, St. Laurent. Donation in her memory to the Sisters of Holy Cross Missions would be appreciated.

8 Comments

  1. My condolences. For what it’s worth coming from a stranger. I hope her convictions were correct, then you will be with her again.

  2. campbell says:

    My condolences to you and your family for your loss Warren.

  3. Dan says:

    Condolences Warren. She sounds like an amazing human being.

  4. Mr. Murdoch esq. says:

    Truly a woman of substance and conviction. Imagine the number of children bettered by knowing her.
    Hang in there man, the sun always comes up.

  5. Patrick Deberg says:

    Sorry for your loss Warren! Ghosts and echo’s are what we see…………

  6. Jim Hanna says:

    Very sorry for your loss; she sounds like a remarkable woman

  7. Sean Moore says:

    My condolences, Warren. In my approximately 13 years of Catholic education, I was privileged to know several nuns who shared the values, commitment, energy and resolve of your aunt. They have been, and continue to be, a vastly under-credited force for good in the lives of so many. I am indebted to them.

  8. JamesHalifax says:

    As has already been written, my condolences Warren.

    Instead of focusing on your loss, however, I think it would be better to celebrate the life she led. Imagine all of the good she accomplished in her 68 years of service to people. Imagine the lives she changed, or the comfort she provided. Instead of being sorry she is gone, you should celebrate the fact she was here.

Leave a Reply to Mr. Murdoch esq. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.