Sister Carol Cornish

Sister Mary James
Mary Carol Ann Cornish
1936 - 1989

Sister Carol Cornish (Mary Carol Ann Cornish) of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, died at Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston Ontario, on January 23, 1989, in the 36th of her religious life. She is lovingly remembered by her brother, James, and his wife, Pat of Kingston. Her mother, Margaret Purtell, predeceased her in 1984.

Sister Carol’s first assignments were to the teaching apostolate. She was on the staff of St. Joseph’s School, Kingston; St. Joseph’s, Arnprior; St. Michael’s and Holy Rosary, Belleville. She was principal of Holy Rosary, Belleville, when in October of 1964 she was stricken with multiple sclerosis. As the disease advanced Sister suffered the loss of both legs and the use of one hand. But, her strong spirit rose above these tragic events, and, with the assistance of a mechanized wheelchair, she cheerfully gave of herself each day, following her Community’s charism of serving with compassion. She was active on the board of Kingston Bus of the Handicapped; taught reading, Grades 1 – 4, St. Joseph-St. Mary School; was a member and past-president of the Kingston branch of the M.S. Association; and contributed greatly to the work of various committees of the Sisters of Providence and at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital, where she lived. Her vitality and courage have left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

The funeral Mass on January 26, at Providence Motherhouse, was concelebrated by Archbishop F.J. Fraser, Monsignor J.G. Hanley, Rev. T. Raby, Rev. K. Stitt, Rev. J. Rozon, Rev. D. Clement, Rev. C.D. Cummings, Rev. J. Garden, OFMConv., Rev. R. McAvoy and Rev. L. Byrne. The homilist was Rev. K. Stitt. Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kingston.