Sister Agnes Fillion was born in Viscount, Saskatchewan September 10, 1911. When Aggie was still in primary school the family moved to Regina. She went to Holy Rosary School and to Sacred Heart Academy. At Sacred Heart Academy, Aggie and her friend, Irene Oliver, would go to the Chapel to pray during the noon hour. It was there that they both became aware of their call to religious life. In the Chapel, they often heard the laughter of the Sisters coming from the dining room below the Chapel. The joy they heard and saw in the Sisters, their teachers, contributed to the two deciding to ask for admission to the novitiate of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions.
After their novitiate the two friends parted company each being sent on separate missions. Aggie was sent to Manitoba and served for a few years as boarders’ mistress and cook in various communities before going to Teachers’ College in Brandon, Manitoba. Aggie has very happy memories of her time in the classroom. What characterized these years was her great love for her students, many of which have continued a life-long relationship with her.
Unfortunately Aggie’s time in the classroom was cut short due to several years of illness. However, as soon as she was better, she became a volunteer at the hospital and was able to help patients who were suffering from experiences similar to hers. Her loving presence was greatly appreciated by staff and patients.
In the early seventies, a whole new and wonderful ministry awaited Aggie. She was asked to help with the teaching of mentally challenged children and later to be a member of the community of Garritty Home, which housed six mentally challenged adults. She was an invaluable presence in these two positions with her gifts of compassion, understanding and a wonderful sense of humour.
After twenty-fife years in that ministry, the time came for her to leave, with great sorrow, her “beloved children” as she called the residents of Garritty Home. The Congregation asked her to move to the community of Santa Maria. There, too, she became a very valuable presence by her daily visits of the Residents-in-care
which now include two of her “beloved children”, Gordy and Carol.
For seventy-five years Aggie has shared generously her joy and laugher, love and compassion, devotion and humour with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, the people she ministered to and her many friends. We rejoice with her and thank God for her.
