Sister Mechtilde O''MARA CSJ

December 25, 1935 – July 8, 2025 Sister Mechtilde O'Mara, CSJ (formerly Sister St. Louis), died peacefully at Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the 68th year of her religious life. She was predeceased by her parents, John Aloysius O'Mara and Anna Teresa (née Schenck); her sister, Sister Winnifred, CSJ; and her brothers, James and Most Rev. John A. O'Mara, former Bishop of St. Catharines. She is survived by her sisters, Marcelline (Brown) and Eleanor (Runge). She will be sadly missed by her family, Sisters in community, colleagues, and friends. After obtaining her B.A. degree from the University of Toronto, Sister Mechtilde joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1957. Following teaching high school for several years, she began graduate studies towards her M.A. in Classics at the University of Toronto in 1967. She obtained her Ph.D. in Classics from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) in 1971. From 1970–2001, Sister Mechtilde served the university community of St. Michael's College with distinction as a Classics professor, administrator, and mentor to students, faculty, and alumni. She served as the first Vice-President of Administration, as Vice-Chair of the Collegium, and as Vice-Chair of the College Council. She was appointed ministry director for Faith Connections from 2010–2018 while continuing to teach part-time as Professor Emerita USMC. In 2022, she received an honourary doctorate from the University of St. Michael's College in recognition of her contributions to St. Michael's College. In recent years, she moved to the Care Centre at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, where she was supported by the excellent care of their dedicated staff. Visitation will take place at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence, 2 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 2:00 p.m. Visitation from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., in the Chapel, 2 O'Connor Drive, Toronto, Ontario. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://csj-to.ca/funeralservice/ Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries, 101 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto, ON M4H 1M2.