UPEI saddened by passing of Sister Mary Olga McKenna
Prince of Wales College alumnae and UPEI honorary graduand Sister Mary Olga McKenna passed away on Tuesday, May 1. The well-loved member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, passed peacefully at Caritas Residence in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Born in Charlottetown, Sister McKenna can trace her forebears back to some of the first settlers from Monaghan County who came to PEI. She was educated at Prince of Wales College, Mount Saint Vincent College, Boston College, and the University of London, England.
Though her roots in PEI run deep, she ranks among the Island Irish who have made distinguished contributions elsewhere while maintaining strong ties with their home province.
Sister McKenna joined the Sisters of Charity at a young age and began a long and distinguished teaching career. After graduation from Kensington High School and Prince of Wales College, she earned a BA at Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in Philosophy and a PhD in the history of philosophy of education from Boston College. In 1977, her Canadian and American credentials were supplemented by an Associateship at the Institute of Education, University of London, England. Upon retirement in 1986, she was granted the title of Professor Emeritus at Mount Saint Vincent University.
In the fall of 1990, UPEI held a special convocation ceremony at the Confederation Centre of the Arts to honour the 160th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers from Ireland's County Monaghan. Sister McKenna was honoured at this ceremony with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Sister McKenna successfully blended teaching, administration, and prayer with an active scholarly life. She is the recipient of ten research awards and the author of articles on education, religion and the history of education.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 3, in Caritas Residence from 3-7 pm and the Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, May 4, in Immaculate Conception Chapel at Caritas Residence at 10 am. For more information, visit Sister McKenna's obtituary
