Sister Ruth Hennessey passed away at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Thursday (May 14) at the age of 84.
A member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada, Sister Ruth was the founder and director of Casa Maria Refugee Homes in Peterborough. The non-profit volunteer organization sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph welcomes refugees regardless of race, social status, religious or cultural tradition and offers them safe temporary accommodation.
Sister Ruth was awarded the YWCA Peace Medallion in 2001 and, in 2018, Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef awarded Sister Ruth the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards, in recognition of her work with refugees and immigrants. She also received a personal letter of congratulations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Originally from Lindsay, Sister Ruth entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peterborough in 1956. Her mission experiences were in the field of education as a teacher in Peterborough, Kirkfield, and Cobourg. For 35 years, she was an elementary school teacher, first in the primary grades and then as a consultant in special education.
Her refugee work began in the 1970s, as a participant in the local welcome to Vietnamese boat people. Under Sister Ruth’s direction, the Sisters of St. Joseph began operating Casa Maria home for refugees in the early 1990s. The home welcomed refugees from any religious or cultural tradition, race, gender, or social background.
In 1997, Sister Ruth retired from teaching and devoted herself full-time to the service of refugees. Within five years, two more Casa Maria homes opened. The homes provided temporary housing as well as assistance with legal processes, language training, schooling, obtaining health care, and eventually employment and permanent housing.
In collaboration with her co-workers and many volunteers, Sister Ruth was the lead consultant for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough in the role of the umbrella organization for sponsorship of refugees, assisting parishes and groups as they established welcoming committees for refugees.
“For the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph and the family and friends of Sister Ruth, we extend our prayers and deepest sympathy,” writes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough of their Facebook page. “May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of Christ rest in peace.”
Cremation has taken place and there will be a private interment at Highland Park Cemetery in Peterborough. A memorial mass will be celebrated later. Condolences can be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph at 1555 Monaghan Road in Peterborough. Online condolences can be made at dignitymemorial.com.
The story has been updated to properly attribute the photographer of the feature photo of Sister Ruth Hennessey.
