Sister Elaine Jacob

Sister Mary Elaine
Elizabeth Jacob
1927 - 2019

Elizabeth Mary Jacob, born on January 29, 1927 in Nyiracsad, Hungary was the first of four children of John Jacob and Florence Bodogany. She arrived in Montreal as a young girl with her family and attended English schools. She worked as a private secretary until she entered the postulancy of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul on August 15, 1947.

After completing her novitiate, she entered St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Montreal where she obtained her R.N. in 1953. Her nursing career began as a general duty nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal and at the same time she took part-time courses at McGill University. She later became Assistant Head Nurse, then Head Nurse, followed by Assistant Supervisor, then Supervisor and finally Director of Nursing in 1957. In 1961 she attended the University of Ottawa where she obtained her B.Sc.N. In 1965 she did post graduate studies at the Catholic University in Washington, DC obtaining a Masters of Nursing Services in Administration. In 1969 she returned to St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal as Director of Nursing and in 1973 she went to St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital in Kingston in the same capacity and served on the Governing Board. In 1990 she had a sabbatical year during which she studied Applied Theology in Berkeley, California. From 1991 to 1996 she served as Associate Executive Director of St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose, Alberta. From 1991 – 2003 Sister Elaine served on the St. Mary’s Governing Board and on the St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital Board in Edmonton until 2002. During the years between 1982 and 1990 Sister Elaine also served as a surveyor with the Canadian Accreditation Council of Hospitals. In 2009 she retired to the Motherhouse in Kingston.

Sister Elaine had a passion for health care. She truly cared for the dignity and wellbeing of patients and those suffering from food and alcohol addictions.

Sister’s outgoing personality and sense of humour endeared her to many. She loved to talk to people and to listen to their stories.

Sister Elaine was called home peacefully to her loving God on Monday, February 11, 2019. The Mass of Christian Burial, held in the Chapel of Mary Mother of Compassion, Providence Motherhouse on February 19, 2019 was presided over by Most Rev. Brendan M. O’Brien, Archbishop of Kingston. Friar Ed Debono, OFM Conv., was the homilist.