Obituary of Sister Rita Maud Duncan

DUNCAN-the death of Sister Rita Maud Duncan (Sr. Stella Marie) of Ruth Ross Residence occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 following a period of failing health. Sister was born in Salisbury, N.B., a daughter of the late George and Margaret (Monahan) Duncan. She received her teaching license and taught at Melrose, N.B. from 1945 to 1946. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception in 1947. She taught at Assumption School and St. Patrick's School in Saint John , Farrellton, Quebec, and Wetaskiwin, Alberta, where she was principal. Sister retired from teaching to prepare herself for work in the field of mental health. Sister Rita took CPE Courses in Washington, D.C., and enrolled in the course for Supervisor in Pastoral Care Program at St. Paul's University, Ottawa. She attended many workshops in Health Care. She received her Chaplain Certificate from the Canadian Council of Churches, Toronto. Sister received her B.A. at Mount St. Vincent University, her B. Ed. at UNB, and her Masters Degree in Religious Studies at Gonzaga University and a Masters Degree in Sacred Theology from Regis College, Toronto. Sister served in Pastoral Care in Edmonton and served as Chaplain Coordinator at Centracare in Saint John, then as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Vincent's Hospital, Vancouver. She continued her studies and received a certificate in Spirituality and Worship from Berkeley, California. Sister Rita gave many Pastoral Care Workshops at the Villa Madonna. Sister Rita returned to Saint John in 1994 where she resided at Glenburn Court, and served on the Vocation and Associates Committees and as a board member for the Diocesan Council. She then moved to St. Joseph's Convent West where she served as the Local Leader and was involved in Hospice, Pastoral Ministry and prayer groups until her retirement. Sister moved to Ruth Ross Residence in 2005 where she continued in prayer ministry with prayer groups. She was predeceased by three brother, George, Donald, and Francis Duncan; and five sisters, Sr. Helen Duncan, S.C.I.C., Bernice O'Sullivan, Edith Herrington, Catherine King, and Blanch Frenzel. She is survived by two sisters, Sister Teresa Duncan, S.C.I.C., and Ethel Roy, both of Saint John; 12 nieces; 20 nephews; 65 grandnieces; and 57 grandnephews. Resting at St. Vincent's Convent, 31 Cliff St., with visiting on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday morning at ten o'clock. Interment will take place in the Sisters of Charity Plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Evening Prayer Vigil will be held on Thursday evening at seven o'clock.