Sister Alma Thorne
(Sister M. Charlotte)
July 4, 1929 –June 12, 2024
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie wish to announce that Sister Alma Thorne transitioned peacefully into the heart of God on June 12, 2024. Sister Alma was born in Toronto, ON to Martha Alice (Tedd) and Charles Thorne (both deceased), the youngest of four children. She is predeceased by her siblings: Charles Thorne; Marjorie (Wilf, also deceased) Cartier; and Eileen (Don, also deceased) Sanderson. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Bernice Thorne, and nieces and nephews: Helen Sundquist, Rev. Richard Thorne, Patricia Mink, Barb Bachmeier, and David Sanderson.
Alma entered the Congregation of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie on September 30, 1958, from Christ the King Parish, Sudbury. Prior to entering she was a staff nurse/instructor at Wellesley Hospital Toronto and at Sudbury General Hospital.
Following her novitiate, she was assigned to the faculty of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, North Bay. The congregation then supported further studies: in 1967, Alma completed her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at the University of Windsor and in the mid 1970’s, she received her Masters of Science from the University of British Columbia.
From 1969-1988 Alma was a much sought after and respected clinical instructor at Marymount School of Nursing, Sudbury General Hospital, the Sudbury Regional School of Nursing, and at Canadore College North Bay, where she later specialized in geriatric nursing. She was a highly skilled, humble and compassionate nurse. Her sparkling wit smoothed over any stressful situation.
From 1988 – 1992, Alma served as the Occupational Health Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Thunder Bay. She then returned to St. Joseph’s Motherhouse and served as Director of Life Planning until 1995.
While Alma retired in 2006 she continued to live, participate, and celebrate life to the full, including being a chauffeur until 2008, to assist sisters who no longer were able to drive. As a loyal Torontonian, she was an ardent Blue Jays and Raptors fan.
Alma appreciated times of solitude and was often seen in the library and yet remained involved in various activities in the community. For her, challenges were not obstacles but stepping stones.
In her words “Life is a journey; mine has been rich and has been blessed with increased abundance and tremendous lessons in living. Being a Sister of St. Joseph taught me that all life itself is a celebration of God’s goodness and the true meaning of charity is love in all its dimensions.”
Sister Alma will be received at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024 with a Prayer Vigil at 4:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, Sacred Heart Chapel on Saturday, June 22, 2024 beginning with closing prayers at 3:50 p.m. followed by Liturgy at 4:00 p.m.
Expressions of sympathy or donations to the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Alma may be made at https://csjssm.ca/contact-us
Online condolences can be made at www.hillsidefuneral.ca
Sister Alma rest in peace.
Hillside Funeral Services Ltd.
