Obituary of SISTER MARCELLA (CAROLINE) LAMBERT, OSB

Sr. Marcella (Caroline) Lambert, O.S.B.

Sr. Marcella Lambert, O.S.B. 96,  died suddenly on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at St. Benedict's Monastery.  She was in her 58th year of Monastic Profession.

Sr. Marcella was born on November 9, 1922 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Walter and Julia (Osika) Lambert. She was the third eldest of thirteen children, two having died in infancy before she was born. She entered the Benedictine Community in Arborg, Manitoba on August 31, 1958 and made her monastic profession on August 29, 1960. She was a very prayerful, hardworking, quiet and private person.

Sr. Marcella's whole life can be summed up most aptly by the Benedictine motto of  "Ora et Labora", prayer and work. Prior to entering the community she helped at home, on the family farm, and in caring for her siblings. Later she was a housekeeper for neighbouring farm couples, which was followed by work  at the Globe Bedding Factory in Winnipeg and finally at the Regina General Hospital.  All the while she kept in close contact with her two aunts, Srs. Monica and Celestine who were members of the Benedictine Community. Her attraction finally led her to her own "yes response" to the call to religious life.

Since Sr. Marcella's talent and employment had been mainly in food service, her ministries in the monastery soon followed the same path. She was trained in the Culinary Arts at Holy Cross School of Culinary Arts in Massachusetts, and upon completion "cum laude", ministered in the Monastery kitchen,  Johnson Memorial Hospital and the Russell District Personal Care Home. Upon  her retirement she served in Home Care for another 10 years. Throughout her  years in Russell she was active in the life of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic parish.

When Sr. Marcella returned to the monastery in 2013, she lived out her life in prayer, loving service and hospitality. She treasured her personal independence and strived her utmost to maintain it.

Sr. Marcella was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Julia, her brothers Walter, Peter, William and Carl, her sisters Belle (baby Julia) and Bertha. She is survived by her brothers Rudy (Saskatoon) and Joe (Wynyard) and her sisters Adeline (Brandon), Albina (Saskatoon), Angela (Calgary) and Stella ( Montreal), her many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, numerous friends and her Monastic Community.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict's Monastery Chapel, presided by Fr. David Kowalski with commendation by Sister Virginia Evard, OSB, Prioress. Interment will follow in the Monastery Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Should family and friends desire, donations may be made in Sr. Marcella's memory to St. Benedict's Foundation   225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R4A 2A1

The Sisters wish to express their gratitude to Health Care Aides, Darlene Patterson and Ange Giesbrecht for their loving care and support of

Sr. Marcella. May she rest in peace.