Mullin, Roberta (Margaret Irene) SC, died peacefully at Caritas Residence, Halifax, on October 1, 2024, at the age of 82. Born in Vancouver, BC, she was a daughter of the late William and Lucy (Doyle) Mullin. She entered the Sisters of Charity – Halifax in 1959 and made her first profession in 1962.
Sister Roberta received her B.Sc. in Elementary Education in BC in 1964, her B.A. from Mount Saint Vincent University in 1970, and in 1972 received her Registered Nursing Diploma from the Edmonton General Hospital School of Nursing. In 1993 she received a Certificate in Gerontological Nursing, with distinction, from Grant MacEwan Community College in Alberta.
Her early career was spent teaching in Vancouver BC as well as in Halifax. Shortly after graduating from Nursing School she devoted the rest of career to nursing, working at St Vincent Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital in BC, at the St. Vincent Motherhouse in Halifax, and in Edmonton at the Lynnwood Care Centre. In 1996, Sister Roberta was missioned to Dominican Republic where she spent 14 years nursing until she retired in 2010.
Sister Roberta had the gift of music. She played piano, guitar and was a beautiful singer. One of her most memorable ministries was in the Dominican Republic. Although her Spanish was not perfect, she won the hearts of people with her gift of music, contagious smile, and sense of humor. She was proud to say she drove the school bus on parish picnics and for medical teams from the USA when they offered their services in different parts of the parish.
Music was truly her life’s passion. When she returned to Vancouver, she joined various seniors’ centres playing handbells, singing with various choirs and never missed a Sunday liturgy playing the organ. She transcribed many songs to make it possible for everyone to sing. She sang in the choir at Caritas until recently and walked the grounds singing, exercising her voice to keep her vocal cords strong while she bravely battled Parkinson’s disease.
She had a spirited nature. She was feisty, determined, and kind. Sister Roberta was a joyful witness to love and was well loved in return.
Sister Roberta is predeceased by her parents, and is survived by her sister Patricia Mullin, her cousin, Sister Marjory Ann (Daughter of Charity), among other cousins.
A Prayer Service to welcome Sister Roberta’s body home will be held at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Caritas Residence on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 2:00pm followed by visitation until 4:00pm. The Vigil Service will be held at 6:30pm Thursday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10:00am. The Mass is a private service for Sisters, Family and Associates.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/4621845/b56050a156In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity-Halifax.