(Sr. Mary Charles Anthony)
October 12, 1916 – July 25, 2016
Sr. Theresa Irene Carey (Sr. Mary Charles Anthony) Born October 12, 1916, in Cork, Alberta, died July 25, 2016 at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Victoria, BC. Irene was the second child and eldest girl in a family of twelve children. Irene began school in Alberta and when the family moved to Lumby, BC she attended public school. After high school graduation, Irene obtained her teaching Certificate from the Provincial Normal School, Victoria, BC. She taught for two years before entering the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Ann on August 1, 1939 and pronounced her vows on July 26, 1941 in Victoria, BC.
Sr. Irene obtained a B.Ed from the University of Victoria and studied Theology and Religious Education in Spokane WA, Newman College, Edmonton, AB and Notre Dame University, Nelson, BC. A dedicated educator who loved children, Sr. Irene taught for 40 plus years. She taught in various Catholic and Government Elementary Schools throughout British Columbia. Many years were teaching First Nations children. She spent more than 20 years in Kamloops, BC, 13 of which were teaching at St. Ann’s Academy. Before leaving Kamloops, Sr. Irene received recognition for her 40 plus years of teaching.
Upon returning to Victoria, Sister resided at Queenswood House and then at Mount St. Angela, where she extended gracious hospitality to guests. She also ministered by visiting those who were homebound. Later Irene moved to St. Ann’s Residence and then to Mount St. Mary Hospital. Sr. Irene will be remembered for her wonderful smile, her humour, her prayerful spirit and her love of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Earlier this year, Irene celebrated her 75th anniversary of Religious Profession.
Sister Theresa Irene Carey is pre-deceased by: her parents Charles and Regina (Waters) Carey, brothers Tony Carey, Pat (Dorothy) Carey and Daniel (Violet) Carey; sisters Bertha (Peter) Dyck, Sr. Nora Carey, SSA, Margaret (Walter) Knight, Sister Mary Rita (Laura Kathleen) Carey, brother-in-law Jim Brown.
Sister Theresa Irene is survived by: Florence (Nellie) Brown, Sophie (Pat) Mulholland, Lola (Harold) Major, Rita (Bob) Fairhurst, and numerous nieces and nephews along with her religious community of the Sisters of St. Ann.
The Sisters of St. Ann are very grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Mount St. Mary Hospital.
Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at Sands Funeral Home, 1803 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC.
The Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Holy Cross Church, 4049 Gordon Head Road, Victoria, BC
Interment at Hatley Memorial Gardens.