Morning Sentinel (Oct/17/2004)


Sister Camillus Marie McDade, R.S.M., 88

PORTLAND - Sister Camillus Marie McDade, R.S.M., a.k.a. Anna Marie, 88, a native of Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, died peacefully Oct. 15, 2004 at St. Joseph's Manor.

Sister Camillus Marie was educated in the Canadian school system prior to her entering the School of Nursing at Madigan Memorial Hospital, Houlton. She graduated as a registered Nurse in 1945. Before entering the Sisters of Mercy, Sister worked as nurse at Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C., as well as Madigan Memorial Hospital Houlton.

Sister Camillus Marie entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1952 from St. Gertrude Parish, Woodstock and continued her ministry at Mercy Hospital, Portland, with the exception of a three year sabbatical to study anesthesiology at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Conn., from 1962-1965. Sister retired from Mercy Hospital in 1987, having ministered there for 35 years.

As an avid student, Sister also took advantage of several other educational opportunities such as courses at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., Boston College Extension Courses, and obtained a B.S. degree from St. Joseph's College, Standish.

Sister Camillus Marie loved to cook and specialized in preparing delicious fruitcakes during the holiday season. She kept up with the news of the day while drinking a Canadian cup of tea and solving a variety of types of puzzles.

At Mercy Hospital, she held many responsibilities such as night and clinical supervisor, charge nurse, private and general duty nurse as well as a laboratory technician. From 1965-1987, Sister served in the pulmonary / inhalation therapy department as a supervisor and respiratory therapist.

After retiring, Sister Camillus Marie volunteered on the staff of McAuley Residence, Portland, a transitional home for women and children and as a part-time receptionist and coordinator at St. Joseph's Convent, Portland.

Sister was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Martha Jane McGuire McDade and a sibling, T. Francis McDade all from Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada.

She is survived by her brother, Donald and his wife, Rita of Houlton; her sister-in-law, Bertha McDade of Woodstock; a niece, nephew and her Sisters in Community.

Visiting hours will be from 6-8 p.m., Sunday evening, Oct. 17, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 18 from 2-4 p.m., at St. Joseph's Convent, Stevens Avenue, Portland followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4:30 p.m. Burial will be in New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Retirement Fund for the Sisters of Mercy 605 Stevens Avenue  Portland, Maine 04103