Obituary of Sister Mary McHugh

Sister Mary McHugh, (Sister Mercia), a gentle woman of amazing faith, grace and longevity, passed away peacefully at her home, Ruth Ross Residence, in Saint John, New Brunswick on Friday, October 25, 2024.

Born June 4, 1923, in Grand Falls, Newfoundland , she was the daughter of Johannah and John McHugh.  At the age of 101 years, she was the longest living member of her family.  She was blessed with good health and a positive spirit all her life.  She is now peacefully reunited with her parents, Johannah and John and siblings: Bridget (Jesseau), Dermott, Dorothy (Boyle), Thomas, Firmin, Jack, Edward and Eric.  She has ascended to her family’s open arms and welcoming hearts and has completed God’s mission for her life.

Sister Mary accepted her call from God to enter religious life at the age of 23 years.  She courageously left her family and hometown in August 1946 to begin her lifelong journey as a Sister of Charity of the Immaculate Conception.  Her journey commenced in Saint John, New Brunswick and guided her to live in many diverse locations (Digby, Nova Scotia; Maliseet, NB, Moncton, NB, Fredericton, NB St. Stephen, NB, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Edmonton, Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia).  She always enjoyed meeting people and never shied away from change.  Her life of service in the Sisters of Charity spanned 77 fulfilling years and circled her back to where she began in Saint John, NB.

Sister Mary found profound joy in serving the Lord through her compassion, charity and prayers for others.  She helped and comforted the poor, sick, single mothers, young children and those often thrown unexpectedly into life’s difficult situations who needed to feel God’s caring touch in their lives.  She was humble at heart.  It was often when others were speaking of her that her genuine acts of kindness were revealed.

She also found great joy in the simple things such as a piece of homemade light fruit cake, a Tim Horton’s tea and muffin, the newspaper, a phone call from her family or friends and her favourite music quietly playing in her room.  She will always be remembered for her unshakeable faith in God, her many trips each day to the chapel, her cheerfulness, positivity and genuine interest in others.  She loved to sing songs of happiness.  One of her favorites tunes always remained steadfast in her mind as she cheerfully sang the words of You Are My Sunshine to those blessed to be in her company.

After living through times of war, epidemic/pandemics, loss of loved ones and friends, challenges and changes, Sister Mary was, and will remain, a guiding light of optimism, prayer, kindness and a peaceful heart.  From her family values to her vows as a Sister of Charity, she lived a long, full, good and grateful life.  Her favourite words of wisdom often shared with a tiny grin and caring sparkle in her blue eyes were Keep yourself happy!

She will be dearly missed by her community of Sisters of Charity, particularly by her lifelong and trusted friend, Sister Mary Beth McCurdy.  The staff at Ruth Ross Residence who were amazingly kind and caring will miss her rays of sunshine in their lives.  She will be loved and dearly missed by her niece Brenda Tobin (Brian Tobin), her cherished friends Andrea Brown, Patti King, Carol Ryan, Donna Little and  Anne Vickers Connolly, her nephew Cec Jesseau (Betty Jesseau), her nephew Albert Boyle (Alice McDonald), her niece Anne-Marie Doherty (Mark Doherty), her niece Barbara Gill, her nephew Neil Jesseau (Sherrie Jesseau), her nephew Edward McHugh (Shelly McHugh), her niece Mary Schmidt (Delbert Schmidt), sisters-in-law Mary McHugh and Joan McHugh and a large number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, other family members and a circle of wonderful friends.  She will be fondly remembered and cherished in the hearts of many.

Do not mourn for me; rather celebrate my life, be happy and always remember “To everything there is a season …”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Visitation on Monday, October 28, from 3pm-7pm at Ruth Ross Residence (105 Burpee Ave).  There is no Evening Vigil.  Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 29, at 10am in Carmel Chapel at Ruth Ross Residence.  For those unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed by visiting Sister Mary's obituary on the Brenan's website.  Interment Thursday, October 31, at 10 am in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Saint John.  Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424).