Kindred Footprints: Mother Monica ~ Part IV

Mother Monica died on the 23rd of January, 1931 in her 80th year. She died suddenly but peacefully in her sleep. Right up until her last day she continued to make her rounds at the hospital, each day visiting each and every one of the patients even though she had officially retired in 1923.

Many citizens of Port Arthur and the surrounding area paid their respects at both the hospital and St. Andrew's church where her body lay in state with the Knights of Columbus as an Honor Guard. It is said that ''thousands'' passed by her bier, so large was the outpouring of grief.

Her funeral was held on the 26th of January, 1931 at St. Andrew's church. Solemn High Mass was said by Bishop Scollard. She was laid to rest the same day at St. Andrew's cemetery in the section devoted to the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Obituary, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, January 24, 1931;

REV. MOTHER MONICA DIES IN 80TH YEAR
Founder of Hospital in Port Arthur Succumbs in Sleep
(Special Dispatch to The Globe)
Port Arthur, Jan. 23 - Rev. Mother Monica, Mother Superior of St. Joseph's Hospital here for 30 years, founder in 1883 of the hospital, which rose from a two-bed room to the present million-dollar institution of 185 beds, died in her sleep this morning, in her eightieth year. Born in Merritton, Ont, in 1851, Mother Monica came to Prince Arthur's Landing in 1881 with four other sisters, of whom she was the last survivor. Bishop Jamot of Toronto called for volunteers to go into ''the great Northland,'' and Mother Monica was one of the five. Two years later she founded St. Joseph's Hospital, and for 30 years was the Mother Superior. She visited each patient yesterday, as was her wont. Last September she suffered from a critical illness. She is survived by one brother, Peter Flynn of Niagara Falls, NY. A nephew, Rev. Thomas Manley is parish priest of St. Joan of Arc Church, Toronto. The funeral will be held here Monday. Bishop Scollard of North Bay has been asked to conduct the services, which are to be of an impressive character. Five years ago Mother Monica celebrated her fiftieth anniversary of entering religious life and the occasion was made one of Interdenominational rejoicing, the city presenting her an address and a cheque.