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Sister Eveline Gagner was born in Chatham, Ontario on July 3, 1917. She was one of five children born to Dieudonne Gagner of Tilbury, Ontario and Marie Helene Caron of Dover Township, Kent County, Ontario. Her sister, Viola Marie Blanche, also entered the Congregation, and was given the religious name Yvonne.

Sister Eveline received her B.A. from Assumption University, Windsor in 1963, and her M.A. in Theology from the University of Windsor in 1972. She received a diploma from Lumen Vitae in Brussels. Following this, she received the Attestation d’Etudes: Recherche en Catéchèse from the University of Montreal in 1967. Three years later, in 1970, she received her Attestation d’Etudes: Perfectionnement en Religion from the University of Sherbrooke. Sister Eveline attended the EXODUS program in St. Louis Missouri, during a sabbatical period in 1988.

As well as her academic training, Sister Eveline holds her permanent teaching certificates for French and English. She taught from 1939 to 1979 in separate schools in Ontario, in London, Windsor, Belle River and Sarnia, and held positions as principal as well during this time. From 1969 to 1973, she served as the religion consultant for the Roman Catholic Separate School Board in Windsor, Ontario. From 1979 to 1982 Sister Eveline worked in the field of adult faith education as a catechist in the Stratford Deanery, followed by pastoral ministry at St. Andrew’s Parish in London from 1982 to 1988. Sister Eveline served as a volunteer in various capacities, including as a hospital visitor and ministering to the poor.

Juliette Caillouette was born on November 7, 1930 in Meacham, Saskatchewan, the daughter of Ernest Caillouette of St. Arsene, QC and Olga Loiselle of Saskatchewan. She entered the congregation and and received her habit August 25, 1948, receiving her religious name of Sister Theresa Marie. She made her final vows on August 25, 1953.

Sister Theresa Marie obtained her BA Hons from the University of Western Ontario in 1954. In 1960, she earned her MA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She also earned her Ontario High School Specialist teaching certificate-permanent in the same year. She achieved her Alberta Permanent Professional teaching certificate in 1962. She completed postgraduate work in guidance at Fordham University in 1966, and in French at the Institut Catholique in Paris in 1967. She also attended training at Lutheran General Hospital with the Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies in Chicago from 1983-1984, completing one unit of the C.P.E (spiritual care training). Later, she trained at University Hospital in London, ON as a C.P.E. Resident, completing one basic and two advanced units.

Sister Theresa Marie taught at Mount St. Joseph Academy in London, ON from 1954- 1956, and then at a high school in Sarnia, ON from 1956-1960. She then moved to Edmonton, AB where she worked as a high school principal from 1960-1962. Returning to London in 1962, she again taught at Mount St. Joseph Academy until 1964, and then at Catholic Central High School from 1964-1967.

From 1967-1972, she served as vocation director and undertook formation work for the religious community, and from 1969-2007 was involved in spiritual direction and retreat work. Sister Theresa Marie served as a pastoral minister with St. Joseph's Parish in Sarnia from 1972-1979. She then took up a leadership role with the Sisters of St. Joseph in London and served as a General Councillor from 1979-1983. Beginning in 1984, she worked in pastoral care with St. Joseph's Hospital in Sarnia until 1985. She then became Manager of the Pastoral Care Department at the hospital, a role she remained in until 1987.

Returning to London, she was elected the General Superior from 1987-1995. During her time as the congregational leader, Sister Theresa Marie served as a board member with the St. Joseph's Health Centre in London from 1987-1995. During the same period, from 1991-1993, she was elected Vice-President of Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, and then President from 1993-1995. Overlapping with this position, she served as Vice-President of the Canadian Religious Conference from 1993-1995.

During her term as General Superior, missions opened in Fort Good Hope, NWT in 1989, in Faro, YT, Fort Liard, NWT and Deline (Fort Franklin), NWT in 1990, in Igloolik, NU in 1991, and in Lutselk'e, NWT, and Behchoko (Fort Rae), NWT in 1994. A Marriage Tribunal began in Toronto, and the Adult Spirituality Centre on Brock Street, Windsor, opened in 1994. Sister Theresa Marie was the chaplain for Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor from 1996-2001. She served as a board member for the Hotel Dieu-Grace Hospital in Windsor from 1998-2001. After her retirement in March 2001, she worked in spiritual direction, pastoral counselling, and grief counselling until 2006. She also served as a member of the Canadian Medaille Team in 1967. She died on December 14, 2020.

Cathleen Flynn was born in London, Ontario on May 1, 1933. She entered the congregation on July 1, 1951, and received her habit on January 3, 1952. She made her final vows on January 3, 1957. Her religious name was Sister Mary Brendan. She was the daughter of Timothy Flynn and Mary McNally both of Ireland. Cathleen attended St. Mary's Elementary School, St. Angela's College, and Catholic Central High School in London, ON.

While in the novitiate, Sister Mary Brendan completed her teacher training at London Teachers' College in 1955. She then earned her BA at Assumption University in Windsor, ON, followed by her MA at Manhattanville College in New York, NY in 1967. She completed her STM in (Masters in Sacred Theology) at Regis College in Toronto in 1983, and her PhD in Ministry, also at Regis College in 1990.

From 1955-1961, Sister Mary Brendan was a teacher and principal in Windsor. She returned to London and taught at the same high school she had attended in her youth, from 1961-1963. She then served as Mistress of Novices at Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse in London from 1964-1971. As a member of the Commission of Religious, Sister Mary Brendan made a significant contribution to Synod II of the Diocese of London in 1969. She was then elected General Superior, a position she held from 1971-1979. As Superior General, Mother Mary Brendan was a member of the boards of the community's hospitals in London, Chatham, and Sarnia. The varied works of the Sisters involved her in separate school education as well as the private Mount St. Joseph's Academy and St. Joseph's School of Music in London. She was also involved in health care, social work, pastoral care, the mission field in the NWT and in Peru, care of the aged, and retreat programs.

Sister Cathleen then worked as the Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Regis College in Toronto from 1983-1986. While a student in the Doctor of Ministry Program at Regis College, she worked as the Director of Continuing Education from 1986-1990, and upon graduation, continued in this role until 2000. She then became the Director of the Master of Arts Degree program at Regis College in 2000, and then the Vice President of Regis College from 2001-2002. She served on the Board of Governors at Regis College from 2000-2005. Sister Cathleen also served on the Faculty Council, Academic Council, and Dean's Council at Regis College in 1996, on the Appointment and Rank Committee in 1998, as Vice Chair of the Academic Council in 2003, and was appointed Professor Emerita from 2007-2008. Sister Cathleen died on February 13, 2020.

Julia Cecilia Moore was born on November 30, 1911, to Francis (Frank) Joseph Moore (d. 1938) and Julia Camilla Coughlin (d. 1965) in St. Thomas, Ontario. Active in the St. Thomas community growing up, Cecilia was a summer lifeguard at Alma College Pool, and served as recreational director at her alma mater, St. Joseph’s High School, during her college years in the 1930’s. Having obtained an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and French from the University of Western Ontario, Cecilia went on to obtain a high school assistant certificate in English and History from the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. Cecilia entered the congregation in London, Ontario in 1935 at Sacred Heart Convent and received the habit and religious name of Sister Julia on August 25th, 1936. She professed her first vows on August 25th, 1938, and her final vows on August 25th, 1941 in the Chapel of Sacred Heart Convent. Sister Julia began teaching at St. Michael’s School in London, with teaching assignments at Roman Catholic high schools in St. Thomas and Sarnia, during which time she completed a Master of Arts Degree in French at Laval University. She eventually became the principal at Catholic Central High School in London. After two years as a principal, Sister Julia was elected General Superior in 1959. She held the position until 1971, then served four years as a General Councilor.

Her leadership had an impact on many aspects of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s involvement in education, health care, social work, retreat work and missions in Peru and Northern Canada. Mother Julia was also named Health Care Coordinator of the community, serving five hospitals and two chronic care hospitals. She was the Superior of the community of Sisters at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and a member of the pastoral care team, during which time she studied theology and scripture during a sabbatical year at Regina Mundi College in Rome. In 1979, Mother Julia returned to Mount St. Joseph where she directed retreats, and served as a spiritual director as well as a historian for the Congregation, and a consultant for the archives department. Mother Julia’s work, Beginnings in London Diocese 1868-1879, was presented to the Canadian Catholic Historical Society in 1978 and published by the London Roman Catholic School Board. Mother Julia died on October 5th, 1995.

Born Mary Margaret Ferris in London in 1931, Sister Margaret Ferris is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, who spent much of her life furthering her education and ministry. In particular, she was a reformer and innovator of prayer, community involvement, and spiritual direction at the Congregation. She also published a book titled Compassioning: Basic Counselling Skills for Christian Caregivers in 1993, and various articles pertaining to spiritual direction and community living and involvement.

Sister Margaret Ferris was involved in her local parish at an early age and was especially encouraged in her faith by her grandmother, who lived with the Ferris family. At a young age she began to consider entering religious life. She completed upper school at St. Angela’s College in 1950 and was a member of the first class to ever graduate from Catholic Central High School in 1951. At age 22, after working as a legal secretary, she joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. After the completion of her novitiate, she attended the University of Western Ontario where she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959, and Master’s degree in Education in 1977. In 1959, she began her teaching career as a high school teacher.

She continued to advance in her career in the 1960s. She became vice-principal of St. Patrick’s High School in Sarnia in 1963, and then principal of Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1966. During the 1960s, she continued to further her own education. She studied during the summer months at the University of Notre Dame. There she received a Master’s degree in Science in 1968. She also became a leader of spiritual renewal at the Congregation, which resulted in a strengthening of her own prayer life.

In 1972, she resigned as principal of Mount St. Joseph Academy, and with three other Sisters, established Internos, a home for troubled teenage girls, who experienced family difficulties or substance abuse. Her ministry evolved as she became exposed to and involved in family and community life. In 1977, she became Director of the Congregation’s Medaille Retreat House. During this time, she was also completing her Master’s degree in Counselling at the University of Western Ontario part-time. During this time, she continued to broaden her experience and understanding of spiritual direction and contemplative spirituality.

In 1978, she was elected to the Congregation’s General Council while still maintaining her position at the Retreat House where she worked alongside individuals of other Christian denominations. In 1984, she studied for a year at the Institute for Creation-Centred Spirituality in California where she obtained a Master’s degree in Spirituality and Culture. She marks this as the richest experience of community in her life, which strengthened and broadened her own spiritual understanding and life.

When she returned to London in 1985, she was asked to join St. Peter’s Seminary as a faculty member in the positions of teacher, counsellor, and Formation Director for Lay Ministry. She was the first woman professor to work full-time at St. Peter’s Seminary. This was another fulfilling experience for Sister Margaret Ferris as she was able to influence the development of the Church and to empower the laity. She held this position for over ten years. In 1992 she obtained her Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction at the Graduate Theological Foundation, and in 2007 she received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the same institution.

Sister Margaret Ferris also dedicated a portion of her life to travelling. From 1959-1963, she made various trips around Ontario and northern U.S.A. In 1981, she travelled to Peru and Florida. In 1990, she and other Sisters visited Rome where she also met Pope John Paul II and received a rosary from him. In 2003, she made a pilgrimage to Le Puy, France, from where the Sisters of St. Joseph originally came. In 2004, she was honoured as one of the seven Golden Jubilarians in the Congregation. She died in 2017.

Katherine Joan McKeough was born on August 21, 1920, in Stratford, Perth County, Ontario, the daughter of Christopher James McKeough and Katherine Mary Devlin. She received her habit on October 15, 1945, at Sacred Heart Convent and took her final vows on January 3, 1951. She was given the religious name Sister Angela Felix and after the Second Vatican Council in 1962, she reverted to her baptismal name.

Sister Angela Felix spent her life in hospital ministry. She then attended the University of Western Ontario in London and earned a diploma in psychiatric nursing and in 1952 was appointed to a supervisory position in psychiatry at St. Joseph’s Hospital, London. She was named an instructor at the School of Nursing in London for two years. In 1956 Sister Angela Felix received a diploma in nursing education and in 1965 completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Then in 1967 she earned a Masters of Science in Adult Psychology at Boston University in Massachusetts. She held other positions at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London besides clinical supervisor in psychiatry, such as assistant to the executive director and supervisor of patient services. She held memberships in the Ontario Group Psychotherapy Association; the Canadian College of Health Service Executives; the American Society for Hospital Nursing Service and Administration. She served as board member of the London Psychiatric Hospital, the Catholic Hospital Association of Canada, and St. Joseph’s Hospitals in Chatham and Sarnia. She was President of the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada from 1985 to 1986, was a member of the Administrative Council of the Catholic Religious Conference and Vice-President of the Catholic Religious Conference of Ontario.

In 1971 Sister Katherine was elected to the General Council of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London and was named coordinator of health care for the Community and in 1979 she was elected General Superior. She died on April 13, 2006.

Isabel Ross was born in Collingwood, Ontario on June 2, 1906. Isabel was the daughter of Alexander Ross and Anne Carson. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario on January 6, 1929, made her first profession July 15, 1929, and final vows on August 28, 1934.
She attained the following degrees:
Permanent Teacher's Certificate, Hamilton Teachers' College, 1931.
Bachelor of Arts, McMaster U. Graduate Fellowship, 1966, University of Toronto.
Catechetics Graduate Work, Gannon College, Erie, Pa. USA 1977.
Sister Alexander taught school for thirty-four years in Hamilton Diocese, both elementary and secondary schools. She was stationed in Brantford Ontario mission house while serving at St. John’s High School. Sister lived at Milton, Ontario where she was both local superior and principal of the school. In 1971 she retired from teaching but continued some graduate work in Catechetics from 1963-1977. Sister previously studied at University of Toronto Graduate School where she received the Province of Ontario Graduate Fellowship. Sister spent her last years in St. Joseph’s Villa, Dundas in the Sisters’ local community there. She died peacefully in the Villa in her seventy-first year as a Sister of St. Joseph on February 21, 2000. She is buried in St. Augustine’s Cemetery, Dundas, Ontario. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in the Villa chapel, with Bishop Anthony Tonnos as chief celebrant.

Monica Mary was born in Chatham, Kent County, Ontario on March 4, 1922. Monica was the daughter of Patrick W. Joyce (born Merlin, Ontario, died 1958) and Johanna Fitzgibbon (born Ridgetown, Ontario, died 1972). She had two brothers: John (Jack, 1916-1972) and Reginald (1918-2003), both of Chatham, Ontario.
She attended high school at Ursuline College, Chatham from 1936 to 1940. Monica had a great interest in tennis and was known as a Michigan-Ontario tennis champion. However, she chose to become a nurse and in 1944, graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Chatham.
She then decided to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph of London at Sacred Heart Convent where she received the habit on August 25, 1945. She was given the religious name, Sister St. Patrick. Sister professed first vows on August 25, 1947, and final vows on August 25, 1950, at Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister St. Patrick began a career in nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sarnia as medical and night supervisor from 1947 until 1952, then moved to St. Joseph’s Hospital in London for two years. She enrolled at the University of Western Ontario in London and in 1952 received a diploma in psychiatric nursing. After graduation Sister St. Patrick was appointed psychiatric and night supervisor in London from 1955 until 1957. She then returned to Sarnia to the emergency department at St. Joseph’s Hospital where she remained until 1967. During this period, she gained valuable experience in dealing with alcoholics. Sister’s deep concern for alcoholics stemmed from 1942 when she was a student nurse who was appalled at the lack of dignity and respect with which alcoholics were treated. It was Sister St. Stephen at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Sarnia who recognized the extraordinary ability that Sister St. Patrick had to work with alcoholics as she had a natural, innate compassion and understanding of them.
After obtaining a diploma in nursing service administration from the University of Windsor, Sister earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1969. From 1969 until 1972 Sister St. Patrick served as liaison officer between the Addiction Research Foundation and St. Joseph’s Hospital, a work in which she was deeply interested, but also qualified professionally. She began courses in alcoholism and addictions and received a Specialist Certificate from Rutgers University in the USA in 1969.
Aware of her professional qualifications, as well as her years of practical experience with alcoholics, the Board of St. Joseph’s Hospital, London appointed Sister St. Patrick as director of a Detoxification Center which opened on September 13, 1973, on Dufferin Avenue. She worked hard to provide a home-like environment, conducive to the patient’s well-being, an open ear, and help for those who wished it. In September 1979, the Detox Center for men was moved to the historic gabled mansion built in 1856 by William Spencer, at the corner of Queens Avenue and William Street. Eventually this site would provide a haven for women as well as men and this new location provided the expanded accommodations and services for rehabilitation and counseling.
Sister St. Patrick’s extensive service in improving treatment and awareness of alcohol and drug addiction recovery won her many awards and recognition. On March 5, 1987, she was the first recipient of the Addiction Research Foundation’s award. Sister also received an award from the London Police Force for her work in London. In 1989 she received another award from the Alcohol and Drug Recovery Association of Ontario. In 1989 Sister St. Patrick was a founding member and on the Board of Westover Treatment Centre located in Thamesville, Ontario and was instrumental in obtaining funding from the Ministry of Health of Ontario for developing the program at Westover, and for overseeing the implementation of the program. In 1991 a new building was added to Westover and was named in her honour, “the St. Patrick’s Building.” In 1995, Turning Point Inc., a recovery home for men and women, gave Sister an award for her years of dedicated work on their Board. However, the awards which were most meaningful to her were the medallions for honorary membership in Alcoholics Anonymous which was given to her by the group in Sarnia in 1951 and the London group in 1968.
In 1982 Sister St. Patrick opened a Community sponsored half-way long term stay residential home, St. Stephen’s House on English Street in London, which she named after Sister St. Stephen who was instrumental in encouraging Sister St. Patrick to work with those who were addicted to alcohol while both were in Sarnia many years before. St. Stephen’s House was set up as a supportive home for recovering addicts where they could live while starting new jobs and saving money to eventually go out on their own. While in residence they were obliged to share household duties, participate in house meetings, and attend AA meetings. Soon a second house was established on Gower Street in 1987 for eight men.
Sister St. Patrick’s educational background and experiences served her well when she began her work with persons with alcohol and drug addictions. She never wavered or gave up on “the boys.” She knew how to respond to them in their darkest moments, how to challenge, encourage and support them in their struggles. She touched hundreds of lives with her forthright manner, her compassion, and her unstinting gift of self. However, she was known to be a straight shooter. She demonstrated unconditional love, but she was tough!
Sister St. Patrick retired in 1988 from the Detox Center of St. Joseph’s Hospital, London. However, she remained as manager of the two recovery homes and on the Board of many facilities offering guidance to many recovering alcoholics.
Due to her poor health and the deteriorating neighborhood conditions on English Street, she closed that recovery home. Sister continued as administrator of St. Stephen’s House on Gower Street until handing it over in June 2001 to Bev Thomson, her friend, who agreed to act as administrator to keep the home open and to carry on Sister St. Patrick’s legacy.
Sister St. Patrick died in Ignatia Hall Infirmary on July 4, 2001. Her Funeral Mass of Resurrection was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount St. Joseph, London, Ontario. Many of those whom she helped during her life, attended the Visitation and Funeral. She is buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, London.

Anastasia Dentinger was born in St. Agatha, Ontario on September 12, 1888. She was the daughter of Anthony Dentinger (born St. Agatha, Ontario, died 1933) and Mary Dietrich (born Waterloo, Ontario, died 1933). Her siblings were: Mary (Schwartz, 1876-1965); Eugene (1877-1962); William (born 1879) and Clara (Diethelm, born 1882), both of Saskatchewan; Carolyn (Busch, 1884-1966); Simon (1886-1963); Clemens (born 1890) of Saskatchewan; Joseph (born 1893), St. Agatha, ON; Anthony (1896-1961); and Mary (Steffler, 1899-1929).
Anastasia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, received the habit on October 28, 1912, at Mount St. Joseph and was given the name Sister M. St. Stephen. Sister professed first vows on January 4, 1915, and final vows on August 15, 1918, in Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, London.
Sister St. Stephen was a graduate nurse who served in the Community hospitals in London, Chatham, and Sarnia. At Sarnia’s St. Joseph’s Hospital, she was on the nursing staff since its opening in 1946. While stationed in Sarnia she was known for being kind and thoughtful to all, patients, staff, and Sisters.
Her religious life was interwoven with her nursing career. In deep faith she prayed especially to St. Joseph to help with everything necessary for her patients and all those with whom she came in contact. She was well known in the hospital but what made her special was her deep interest and genuine concern for each member of the staff and all patients and visitors. Sister oversaw central supply at St. Joseph’s, but she was always concerned about the well-being of patients and the Sisters. She was an avid reader, most generous with her time and a friend to all.
Sister St. Stephen was instrumental in changing the way alcoholics were treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham and later in Sarnia. Instead of the small dark rooms with bars on the doors which were standard at the time, she took the locks off all the doors, furnished the rooms, and endeavoured to treat alike, with love and respect. Sister St. Stephen recognized the extraordinary ability of Sister St. Patrick Joyce who was in training at the time. Later Sister St. Patrick began a ministry to alcoholics and addicts in Sarnia and then in London where she opened a detoxification centre and a house for recovering alcoholics which she named St. Stephen’s house in honour of her association in Sarnia with Sister St. Stephen’s ministry.
Sister St. Stephen suffered a stroke at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Sarnia and died on March 19, 1967. Her body remained there for a day so that the great number of Sarnia residents who wished to pay their respects could express their gratitude for her life. She was then transferred to London, and her Funeral Mass was held in Immaculate Conception Chapel, Mount St. Joseph, London, Ontario.

John Clement McKeown (1934-2022), son of Thomas and Laura McKeown, was raised in Markdale, Ontario. As a child, he received catechism lessons from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario in Markdale. He graduated from Grade 13, received a teaching degree one year after, and attained a bachelor’s degree over many summers. He began his teaching career in a one-room school in Glenelg, and after the small schools were closed, he began working at St. Theresa in Midland. He would board in Midland during the week and returned to Markdale on weekend to assist on the family farm and was a caretaker for his parents as they grew older. He retired from teaching in 1989 and kept many letters of appreciation from his students. That same year he married Helen Woodcock. Together they volunteered playing piano for seniors at Grey Gables and playing the organ at their church. McKeown often listened to 560 CFOS radio station and participated in their Friday Call-In’s, enjoyed the “Looking Back in History” section of the Flesherton Advance, and was fond of chocolate. He passed on Sunday, Mary 27, 2022 at the age of 88.