Obituary of Sister Arlene MacKinnon

MacKinnon, Sister Arlene, 75, formerly Sister John Vianney, a sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany Motherhouse, on Thursday, October 8, 2015. She was in the 54rd year of her religious life. Born in Sydney Mines, NS, Arlene was the daughter of the late John Francis MacKinnon and Margaret (Stewart) MacKinnon. Sister Arlene entered the Sisters of St. Martha on August 15, 1959, pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1961, and pronounced final vows on August 15, 1966. She ministered in the areas of household services, health care, teaching, pastoral ministry, activities director, and volunteer with the poor and seniors. These ministries were carried out in various locations in Cape Breton, and Mainland, NS, Kamloops, BC, St. Paul’s River, QC, and at the motherhouse, Bethany. Sister received her Certified Nursing Assistant qualifications from St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, in 1963; her teaching certificate in physical education, Provincial Normal College, Truro, in 1975; and, in 1977, her BSC (Physical Education), St. Francis Xavier University. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, James (Jimmy) and Robert (Bobby). She is survived by brothers: Francis and Joseph, and sister, Margaret Ann. A lover of nature and the great outdoors, Sister Arlene participated in many winter and summer sports and activities. With an eye for beauty she took pride in her little flower garden at Bethany, which she carefully tended. During her illness, Sr. Arlene was determined to live life to the fullest. A woman of simple faith and an unwavering resilience, she made the most of each new day. The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., Bethany Chapel.