Sister Hilda Miriam Lunney, S.O.S.

Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Hilda was the eight of ten children of Joseph Cyril Lunney and Mary Eva Bourque. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Cyril, Marie, Clara, Gertrude, Edna, Patricia, Bernard, Daniel and Mary Eva.

She is survived by her brother-in-law Kenneth Gormley and her sisters-law, Nancy Lunney and Carol Lunney and many nieces and nephews.

Growing up in a love-filled family of Saint John, New Brunswick, Hilda held tightly to the bonds of her early life, the closely-knit St. Peter's Parish under the Redemptorists, and her care of the most abandoned. Following high school and a commercial course, she was employed as the private secretary to the business manager of The Telegraph Journal, the city's daily newspaper. Attributed to the Redemptorist influence, Hilda entered the Sisters of Service on July 26, 1958, and professed final vows on August 15, 1966.

Mission appointments began at the SOS catechetical houses in Regina, Saskatchewan, Fargo, North Dakota and at the SOS women's residence in Toronto, where Sister Hilda brought a zest for service, music, and laughter. Upon graduating from the Quo Vadis School of Nursing, Toronto, she chose nursing at the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital in that city and served on the SOS General Council. Returning to the Maritimes, Sister Hilda enjoyed two decades in Halifax as the last coordinator of the women's residence, and later as a hospital chaplain. She enjoyed her summer vacations at her family’s summer home in Chapel Grove on the Kingston Peninsula. Back in Toronto, she joined the downtown Parish of St. Paul’s Basilica, participated in liturgies and as a parish visitor at the Rekai Centre, a long-term care facility. Retiring with the Sisters of Service at Presentation Manor, she continued dedicated service to others with Maritime friendliness, compassion, love and song.

The Sisters of Service extend their sympathy to Sister Hilda’s family and friends and offer their sincere thanks to the medical staff and personal care workers for the compassionate attention which Sister Hilda received at Presentation Manor and Providence Healthcare.

Relatives and friends may call at the Presentation Manor, 61 Fairfax Crescent, Scarborough, Ontario for Visitation in the Chapel on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am. Interment at Mount Hope Cemetery, Toronto.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, Thornhill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presentation Manor Retirement Home, Memory Care Unit, 4th floor 61 Fairfax Crescent Scarborough, Ontario, M1L 1Z7.