Obituary of Sr. Ellen MacDonell OSF

BORN: Ellen Mary MacDonell, February 7, 1932 Judique North, Nova Scotia, Canada DIED: December 27, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY DAUGHTER OF: Archibald and Mary Fitzgerald MacDonell Judique North, Nova Scotia, Canada Ellen entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1958; was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1959; and professed her final vows on July 3, 1966. As an Allegany Franciscan, Sister lived and worked for 64 years sharing in the life and mission of the Congregation. She attended grammar and high school in Judique North graduating from Judique Rural Consolidated High School in 1951. Following graduation, Ellen attended St. Martha School of Nursing in Antigonish, CA where she received her RN in 1953. For five years prior to her entrance into the Congregation, Ellen used her nursing skills and talents at St. Francis Hospital in Miami, FL, a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters. In 1961, Sr. Ellen attended D’Youville College in Buffalo where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She furthered her education at Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY and received her license as a Nursing Home Administrator. In addition, she completed the Hospital Executive Development Program through the University of St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Sister began her ministry in healthcare in Congregational hospitals. In 1964, she served as Director of Nursing Services at St. Francis Hospital, Olean, NY followed by 3 years in Geriatric Nursing Administrator at Villa Mary Immaculate, Albany, NY. In 1970, Sr. Ellen returned to Olean where she was the Administrator of St. Joseph Manor followed by Supervisor of Mary’s Hall at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY and Nursing Administrator at St. Joseph Hospital, Tampa, FL. Sr. Ellen used her nursing skills for the next 20 years ministering to the poor, marginalized and elderly at Mary’s House in Philadelphia, PA, St. Joseph Villa, Catskill, NY and in St. Francis Parish, Ft. Myers, FL. In 2005, Sister retired from active ministry and shared in community with Franciscan Sisters in Medford, MA. In 2014, she was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, where she became part of the Franciscan Crafters and shared her many talents in crocheting, quilting and outstanding seamstress. Sr. Ellen is predeceased in death by her parents, Archibald and Mary Fitzgerald MacDonell, three brothers: Leo, Lauchlin and Bernard MacDonell. She is survived by a brother, John MacDonell, a sister-in-law, Yvonne MacDonell and several nieces and nephews. A Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Motherhouse Chapel, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery Allegany, New York. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, NY. For condolences and comments, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com