Sister Mary Comerford

Sister Mary Comerford   (Elizabeth Sheahan)

It is with deep sadness that the Sisters of St. Joseph announce the death of Sister Mary Comerford  (Elizabeth Sheahan) on January 26, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay. 

Sister Mary was born in Douglas, Ontario, on April 1, 1924. She received her elementary and high school education in North Bay, Ontario where she lived with her beloved Aunt Alice, Uncle Dan Comerford and Grandfather Edward Windle.

She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 5, 1941.  Sister Mary began her teaching career in the elementary panel, at St. Albert’s School, Sudbury, in 1943.  She then attended the University of Toronto where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Science. She was Principal at St. Rita’s School in North Bay until 1948.  In September of that year, Sister Mary was assigned to St. Patrick’s High School (Fort William) Thunder Bay where she served on the teaching staff until 1962. She was then Principal at both St. Joseph’s College, North Bay, and St. Patrick’s High School, Thunder Bay. 

Sister Mary’s potential was recognized by the Congregation and in 1966-1967 she studied Theology at the Catholic Institute in Paris.  She was one of the first women to be admitted to Heythrop Pontifical Athenium School of Theology, London.  Mary was a student theologian par excellence who had the privilege of sitting in on discussions with highly regarded theologians of the day including Fathers Ladislas Orsy s.j., Kevin O’Rourke o.p., Bernard Cooke s.j., and Bishop Alexander Carter. In 1967-1968 she completed Theological Studies at Marquette University and received her Masters’ degree. She served as a member of the Congregational Leadership Team 1968-1978, and as Director of Formation, Education Coordinator, Director of Studies and In-service and Retreat coordinator.

In 1978-79, Mary worked in parish ministry at Christ the King Parish, Sudbury. She pursued studies in Pastoral Care in Halifax in1979.  From 1980-1982 she served in the Marriage Tribunal Office in Thunder Bay.  Once more she was called to Congregational Leadership from 1982 to1986.  In 1988 she became the Ethics Resource person to the hospital community at the Sudbury General Hospital of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  In 1990, the University of Sudbury invited Sister Mary to collaborate with Father Noël Simard (now Bishop Simard) in the development of a Bioethics correspondence course.  In 1997, Mary returned to North Bay where she volunteered on the North Bay Social Planning Council.  She also facilitated a prayer and study group at Corpus Christi Parish and served her Congregation in various ministries until 1999.

Sister Mary is predeceased by her father Jeremiah Sheahan and her mother Veronica Windle, brothers James (Johanna) Clarence and her sister Regina King (Paul).  She is survived by her sister, Sister Edwina Sheahan, c.s.j., her sister-in-law Mrs. Margaret Sheahan and nieces and nephews.

Sister Mary will be remembered by her students as gift. She opened and explored with them a world of possibilities which led many to choose career options in the educational field. The Sudbury hospital community was enriched by her monthly newsletters on important and timely ethical issues. Mary was spiritual guide and companion to many who were searching for God, Truth and Mystery in their life journey. Within our Motherhouse community, Sister Mary was considered “our in-house theologian”.  She was an avid reader and was eager to debate, converse and share her knowledge with other ‘seekers’ of a better world.  The computer provided her with access to the most current theological thinking, Vatican updates and timely world issues.  The most recent, relevant facts were always important to Sister Mary.  

The body of Sister Mary will be received at the Motherhouse at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 29, 2015. A prayer vigil will be held in the Holy Family Chapel at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Friday January 30, in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Bay.

                                       May Sister Mary Rest In Peace.

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