Sister Marie MacNamara, CSJ (formerly Sister Mary Aloysius) died peacefully at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, 2 O’Connor Drive, Toronto, Ontario on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in the 74th year of her religious life.

She was predeceased by her parents, John and Alice (née Adams) MacNamara, and her brothers Patrick and Joseph McNamara. She will be sadly missed by her sisters-in-law Margaret and Reiko, her niece Kerry and nephews John, Michael and Mark, friends and Sisters in community.

Sister Marie was born and raised in Toronto. After graduating from St. Joseph’s College School, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto in September 1948. Sister Marie was an elementary educator in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec. In 1969 she obtained her BA from the University of Toronto and her MA in Religious Education from the University of St. Michael’s College in 1974. She worked as a religious education consultant with the Toronto District Catholic School Board before transitioning into parish ministry and spiritual direction.

Over the years, Sister Marie served in a number of roles within her Congregation. She was appointed director of novices from 1977-1984 and later in the 1990s, was elected to her Congregation’s general council from 1994-1998. In 1986, her ministry shifted with a focus on spiritual direction and retreat work and in 2006, Sister Marie became an integral member of the leadership training program for the Toronto CSJ Associates.

In 2015, Sister Marie moved to the Sisters of St. Joseph residence and continued to offer spiritual direction.

She died peacefully at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence where she had been receiving excellent nursing care and attention.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fontbonne Ministries.

You can click here to see

the funeral service for Sister Marie MacNamara

on October 23, 2023 at the Sisters' Residence.