Sister Rita Heenan

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada announce the peaceful death of Sister Rita Heenan at the Heenan family home in Lucan Ontario on October 15, 2023.
Sister Rita, formerly Sister St. Roch, was born on April 19, 1922, in Biddulph Township, Ontario and joined the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph on January 3, 1949 at Sacred Heart Convent, London.  She is remembered with affection by her CSJ Sisters, her sister Rose Heenan and several nieces and nephews.
Sister Rita is predeceased by her parents Patrick and Mary (Mcllhargey) Heenan, brothers James (Rita Baker), Zachariah, Patrick (Marjory Conway) and William, and sisters, Sister Mary CSJ, Sister Delphine CSJ & Sister Lauretta CSJ and Genevieve Heenan.
Already a registered nurse when she entered the community, Sr. Rita received a M.Sc. Nursing degree and was teacher and director of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in London from 1946-1969.  In the following years and throughout her long ministry in health care, she was assigned administrative duties in Sarnia’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital and Marian Villa in London where she later volunteered in pastoral services.  Most recently, Sister Rita assisted in caring for her sister Genevieve in Lucan. Sister Rita will be remembered for her devotion to prayer, dedication to duty and love for family and community.  
All services will be held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, 485 Windermere Road, London, Ontario. Visitation, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from 2:30 – 4:30 pm, and from 7:00 – 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 11:00 am with Father Tom Janisse presiding. Interment to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, London, Ontario. 
Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at www.csjcanada.org/funeralritah
Expressions of sympathy or donations to the works of the Congregation in memory of Sister Rita Heenan may be made at www.csjcanada.org 
Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca