In Memoriam
Sister Isabel Chiasson
Fri, Jul 11th, 2025
Sister Isabel Chiasson, formerly Sister Ann Stephen, 92, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Mary’s Court, Parkland, Antigonish, on Friday, July 11, 2025, in the 67th year of her Religious Life.
Born in Margaree Forks, Nova Scotia, Sister Isabel was one of thirteen children born to the late Didace and Sarah (Miller) Chiasson.
Sr. Isabel entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1956. She pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1958, and her Perpetual Commitment on August 15, 1962. She began her Martha life of Ministry in our pioneering field of Homemaking. Serving in the kitchen, mostly as pastry cook, at Bethany, our former Motherhouse; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Glace Bay; and St. Rita’s Hospital, Sydney. She was also missioned to the Teachers Residence, Eskasoni, and served as Kitchen Supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital, Inverness, and the RK MacDonald Nursing Home, Antigonish. Interspersed in these years Sr. Isabel consistently sought to upgrade her knowledge and skills, providing opportunities for her to do internships in different institutions. Prior to transitioning to another ministry, Sr. served again at the RK MacDonald, and at Martha Center, Lethbridge, Alberta, in both places as Dietary Supervisor.
Following some time of renewal, and volunteering, Sr. Isabel embarked on a completely different ministry. She attended a program of Addiction Counselling at Boston College, and at Rutgers, in NJ. She ministered at Harbour Lights Mission in Boston, for several years. Upon returning to Antigonish she served as Supervisor at the main switchboard at Bethany, which included many other tasks along the way, among them looking after Fatima, a summer place for our Sisters.
A deeply private person, she valued her time in quiet and solitude. She was faithful to her daily walks, until her health made that difficult. Sr. Isabel cared deeply for those who lived on the margins, spending countless hours creating or gathering gloves, scarves, hats, etc., to be given to those who had little. A generosity that was demonstrated quietly and with great dedication.
Besides her parents she was predeceased by sisters Margaret, Anita and Eleanor and brother Robert. Sister Isabel is survived by sisters Anne, Theresa, Mary and Lorraine, and brothers James, Stephen, John and Edgar, and their families.
