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Sister Aileen Byrnes, R.H.S.J. 1908-2002 Sister Aileen Byrnes was the youngest child of James Byrnes and his wife Ellen Kearns. She was predeceased by her brothers Peter and John and by her sisters Loretta and Estelle Harrison. She is survived by her nephews Jack Harrison (Helen) and Tom Harrison (Judy) as well as grand nieces and nephews. Aileen entered the School of Nursing at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston graduating in 1930. After graduation she worked at the Kingston Psychiatric Hospital and in 1934 entered the Novitiate of the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph in Kingston. Sister Byrnes made her First Profession on January 23, 1937. She then began her career in nursing education as an instructor at the School of Nursing in Kingston and in 1940 became the Associate Director. Sister Aileen was then asked to continue her own nursing education and she began her studies at the University of Ottawa. She then went to St. Thomas University in Chatham, New Brunswick graduating with her B.Sc. Nursing Education. She returned to teach Nursing Arts at HDH Kingston and in 1952 was appointed Director of the School of Nursing. In 1956, her skills were needed in Cornwall and she became Director at the HDH School of Nursing. In 1960 Sister Aileen was missioned to Hotel Dieu Hospital, St. Catharines as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. In 1962 she was moved to Cornwall where she became the Administrator while undertaking the arduous assignment of completing the course in Hospital Administration and Management sponsored by the C.H.A. In 1974 Sister began to work in Pastoral Care. She served in this capacity in our hospitals at St. Catharines and Cornwall as well as at Bestview Nursing Home in Cornwall. She enjoyed this work and while in Cornwall also served as Second Councillor at the Macdonnell Memorial Convent. Her final years were spent at St. Joseph Regional House in Amherstview ministering to the sisters as Pastoral Visitor and Eucharistic Minister until she entered the infirmary in 1993. Sister Aileen remained alert and interested in the sisters and all the events within and outside the house and was one of our great pray-ers. She had strong devotion to Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieux. In September Sister Aileen celebrated her 94th birthday and her 65th anniversary of religious profession. She was able to participate fully in both celebrations with joy. It seemed to be her Nunc Dimitis and less than one month later she became very weak and died peacefully on October 11, 2002. May she rest in peace.050020 10/19/2002- ID970590 - Kingston Whig Standard