In 1921, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Pembroke and, from there, sent nuns out to various communities to teach children as well as to work in hospitals. As far as Barry’s Bay was concerned, a convent was built across the street from the St. Hedwig’s priests’ house in 1928. The following year, an elementary school was built, staffed almost entirely by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Because this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Pembroke, I am providing a couple of pictures of some nuns who were living in Barry’s Bay in 1959 and 1960 respectively. Sr. Raymond, Sr. St. Paul (the principal), and Sr. Marina are featured in the first picture (Above). Sadly, Sr. Marina passed away in February 2021.
I am really hoping that some readers will be able to identify the nuns in the second picture. If so, please comment below.
Heritage Photo: If you are interested in having a picture and story featured in The Madawaska Valley Current, please submit the information to Bob Corrigan at madvalleycurrent@gmail.com (subject Heritage Photos) or mail your photo to Bob c/o The Current at PO Box 1097, Barry’s Bay K0J 1B0 (originals will be returned).
The photo showing the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Joseph’s Convent 1960 are the following:
(LtoR)
Back row: Sisters Martha Prince, Anita Levair, Mary Emma Varney, and Mary McGuire
Front row: Sisters Imelda Coyne, Marina Lynch, Edna Prince (St. Hedwig she was)
Have a great day!
The photo shows Sisters who worked at St. Francis Memorial Hospital as well as Sisters who taught at St. Joseph’s School beside St. Hedwig’s Church and St. Joseph’s High School (Beer Store Site). This is who I think they are but I may not be correct on one or two.
Back l-r: Sr. Rosenda, Sr. Anita, Sr. Imelda, Sr. Honora.
Front l-r: Sr. Martha, Sr. Marina, Sr. Hedwig.