BOYCE, Sister Mary Ellen

Sister Mary Ellen Boyce, an Apostolic Sister of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd peacefully passed away on May 25, 2023 in Providence Health Care Center, Toronto. Sister Mary Ellen was born on April 7, 1928, into a family of 2 sisters and 5 brothers in Saint John, N.B. She made her profession in 1948 and her perpetual vows in 1951 in Halifax. Sister Mary Ellen spent 75 years in the Mission of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Halifax. Sister Mary Ellen was very caring and loving to those under her care. She had a deep understanding of the responsibilities entrusted to her and always with a willingness, treated everyone with great respect and dignity. As Sister Mary Ellen worked closely with the Good Shepherd Lay Mission partners in Halifax, she shared her wisdom and encouraged them to grow in freedom and zeal in their roles as they lived the Good Shepherd mission. In 1981 she was elected as Province Leader of the English-speaking region of the congregation in Canada until 1987. She was appointed as Local Leader for Halifax Community until she moved back to Toronto in 2011. As the Local Leader for the Halifax Community and the Executive Director of the programs offered to those in need from across Nova Scotia, Sister Mary Ellen provided loving guidance and support to countless children, adolescents and young women who lived in the programs founded by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. With wisdom and foresight, she was instrumental in supporting the transition of the services provided by the Sisters, entrusting them to a community based Board of Directors. As one of the founding members, Chisholm Services for Children was established in 2004 where she remained an active board member until 2009. In 2005, with considerable convincing from her Lay Mission partners in Halifax, Sister Mary Ellen quietly and humbly accepted the Rebels with a Cause award from the Elizabeth Fry Society in Halifax. An award that truly exemplified the passion and spirt Sister Mary Ellen upheld in advocating for children, adolescents and young women in the community. Sister Mary Ellen also assisted in establishing Chisholm Foundation for Children in 2010 to further support and enhance the services offered by Chisholm. In 2010, Sister Mary Ellen and the other Sisters who resided at the residence on Tower Road, celebrated 120 years of presence in Halifax. Shortly after the anniversary, Sister Mary Ellen and the other Sisters living in Halifax, moved to be with the community of Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd in Toronto. When the time came that she was in need of more care she moved to Providence Health Care Center in 2016. Sister adapted herself to this new home and her friendly manner endeared her to all whom she met. In Toronto she spent time in the health care unit where she needed care from health care staff. She had a sense of sacrifice for God, remaining cheerful and hopeful. The Sisters in her religious community loved her dearly. Her commitment to her vow of zeal and to continue to live the presence of Good Shepherd wherever she lived revealed that she had the true spirit of Saint Mary Euphrasia, the Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of The Good Shepherd. Sister was well cared for by the staff of Providence Center and we are very grateful to the health care providers and staff at the Center. Sister Mary Ellen will be missed by the Sisters in her Religious Community, her family members, relatives, friends and most importantly, the children, adolescents and young women she served in her lifetime. Our Sister Mary Ellen Boyce now rests in the arms of her Good Shepherd God. We are thankful to God for her life and Mission to the Congregation of our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. Funeral Mass in Nativity of Our Lord Church, 480 Rathburn Road, Toronto, on Wednesday May 31st at 10.30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chisholm Services for Children (www.chisholm4children.ca).