Obituary of Sister Katherine MacDonald

Watch Recorded Funeral Service at: http://www.ustream.tv/embed/recorded/117008042?html5ui

It is with heavy hearts that the Sisters of Sion and the family of Sr. Kay (Sr. Lillian) MacDonald announce her death on August 31st, 2018.  She was a member of the Sisters of Sion for sixty-seven years and was involved in ministry in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec, Italy, and Israel.
Sr. Kay's parents, Lillian Catherine (Driscoll) and Walter Cyril,  immigrated to Saskatchewan in the 1920's from Prince Edward Island.  Both taught school in rural Saskatchewan.  They eventually moved to Saskatoon where  Kay was born in 1931, the youngest child and only daughter of five children.  She attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and Sion Academy.  In 1949 she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Sion.
Following two years of novitiate and commitment, Sr. Kay undertook studies at the University of Saskatchewan, University of St. Louis, MO, USA and University of Fordham, NY, USA, studies at which she excelled.  Upon returning to Saskatchewan, she was a classroom teacher and principal at Sion Academy and later at Austin O'Brien High School, Edmonton, AB.
Sr. Kay was then asked to accept the position of leadership within her community - a responsibility which she had for most of her religious life, locally, nationally, and internationally.  While serving in these positions, she also sat on several national and international committees, the work of which was to promote better understanding between Christians and Jews and later, Christians and Muslims.
Sr. Kay will be remembered for her keen intelligence, her leadership skills in navigating the Sisters of Sion through the challenging times following the Second Vatican Council, her total commitment to her community, her love for her family, her passion for promoting better understanding and respect in extensive interfaith relations, her enthusiasm  for literature, drama, the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, and tennis, and her compassion and gentleness in accompanying ageing and ill community members.
Sr. Kay is survived by the members of her religious community, her brother Bob (Joan) and sister-in-law Ann (Cyril - deceased)) and numerous nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond.  She was predeceased by her parents and three brothers:  Jack, Ron, and Cyril and sister-in-law Avelle (Ron - deceased).  The Sisters of Sion thank Dr. Olazynski,  Kathy Daniels and Melanie Deneiko of OverCHealth, and the staff at Trinity Manor and Oliver Lodge for their care of Kay during her last months.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, September 6th, 10:30 am, at Holy Spirit Parish, Celebrant Fr. Emil April. Following the reception, a private Rite of Commital will be held at Woodlawn Cemetry for family and Sisters of Sion.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion (c/o 338 4th Ave. N Saskatoon, SK S7K 2L7) to support the work of continuing interfaith dialogue  - a work very dear to Sr. Kay's heart.