Sister Virginia Cain, RSM, (Sr. Mary Virginia), 90, of the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community, Vermont, died at Our Lady of Providence Residence in Winooski, VT on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Baptized Mary Margaret Cain, Sr. Virginia was born in Burlington, VT on August 11, 1928, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth “Bess” (Carpenter) and Leo Andrew Cain. She received her early education at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Burlington, VT. She earned a B.A Degree in English from Trinity College, Burlington, VT, a Master’s Degree in Sociology from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT, and her degree as a Registered Nurse from Vermont College/Norwich University. Sr. Virginia grew up across the street from Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and when she entered the community she “just walked across Mansfield Avenue,” as she had done her prior twelve years of schooling. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on August 15, 1946 and professed her vows on August 25, 1949. Sr. Virginia served in diverse ministries. She taught in elementary and high schools throughout Vermont in Burlington, Montpelier, and Middlebury. She also taught for twelve plus years at Saint Monica School and Marian High School in Barre. She then served for more than two decades as a nurse, caring for the elderly and sick sisters at Mount Saint Mary and visiting nursing homes and area hospitals. She spent two special years as a visiting nurse in Selma, Alabama, working with people living in poverty and seeing to their needs. Throughout her seventy-two years of religious life, Sister Virginia was also involved in Mercy-sponsored ministries, serving on the Board of Trinity College and volunteering at the Institute for Spiritual Development. With other Sisters and Mercy Associates, she opened the “Warde Robe,” a thrift shop on North Street. Sister was a volunteer in the Mentoring Program of Mercy Connections, journeying with women as they transitioned from incarceration back into the community. Sister Virginia derived much joy in ministering at Marycrest, the former Mercy summer camp for girls where she spent twenty-seven summers, nine of which she served as Camp Director, enjoying the lively campers, working with staff and college students who served as camp counselors, and forming life-long friendships, in particular, her close friend, Joan Mussmacher. As a member of the Vermont Mercy Leadership Team, she oversaw justice work and spent time in Jamaica and Haiti where she visited homes, hospitals and orphanages, helping wherever she could. She was a Red Cross volunteer, and a board member at the Chittenden Food Shelf. She is survived by her brother, Francis Cain and his wife, Mary Jane, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and great grandnieces and grandnephews, and by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy. She was predeceased by her parents Mary Elizabeth (Carpenter) and Leo Andrew Cain; her brothers and sisters-in-law, R. Nolan Cain, MD and Mary, and L. John Cain Esq. and Polly and Erika; her nephews, Stephen Cain and John P. Cain. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mt. St. Mary Convent, 100 Mansfield Ave., Burlington, VT on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM. There will be visiting hours at Mount Saint Mary from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM on Friday, October 19, 2018. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in support of their works of mercy, in care of the Local Coordinator, Sisters of Mercy, 100 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT. Sister Virginia Cain, RSM, (Sr. Mary Virginia), 90, of the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community, Vermont, died at Our Lady of Providence Residence in Winooski, VT on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Baptized Mary Margaret Cain, Sr. Virginia was born in Burlington, VT on August 11, 1928, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth “Bess” (Carpenter) and Leo Andrew Cain. She received her early education at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Burlington, VT. She earned a B.A Degree in English from Trinity College, Burlington, VT, a Master’s Degree in Sociology from St. Michael’s College, Winooski, VT, and her degree as a Registered Nurse from Vermont College/Norwich University. Sr. Virginia grew up across the street from Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and when she entered the community she “just walked across Mansfield Avenue,” as she had done her prior twelve years of schooling. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on August 15, 1946 and professed her vows on August 25, 1949. Sr. Virginia served in diverse ministries. She taught in elementary and high schools throughout Vermont in Burlington, Montpelier, and Middlebury. She also taught for twelve plus years at Saint Monica School and Marian High School in Barre. She then served for more than two decades as a nurse, caring for the elderly and sick sisters at Mount Saint Mary and visiting nursing homes and area hospitals. She spent two special years as a visiting nurse in Selma, Alabama, working with people living in poverty and seeing to their needs. Throughout her seventy-two years of religious life, Sister Virginia was also involved in Mercy-sponsored ministries, serving on the Board of Trinity College and volunteering at the Institute for Spiritual Development. With other Sisters and Mercy Associates, she opened the “Warde Robe,” a thrift shop on North Street. Sister was a volunteer in the Mentoring Program of Mercy Connections, journeying with women as they transitioned from incarceration back into the community. Sister Virginia derived much joy in ministering at Marycrest, the former Mercy summer camp for girls where she spent twenty-seven summers, nine of which she served as Camp Director, enjoying the lively campers, working with staff and college students who served as camp counselors, and forming life-long friendships, in particular, her close friend, Joan Mussmacher. As a member of the Vermont Mercy Leadership Team, she oversaw justice work and spent time in Jamaica and Haiti where she visited homes, hospitals and orphanages, helping wherever she could. She was a Red Cross volunteer, and a board member at the Chittenden Food Shelf. She is survived by her brother, Francis Cain and his wife, Mary Jane, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and great grandnieces and grandnephews, and by her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Mercy. She was predeceased by her parents Mary Elizabeth (Carpenter) and Leo Andrew Cain; her brothers and sisters-in-law, R. Nolan Cain, MD and Mary, and L. John Cain Esq. and Polly and Erika; her nephews, Stephen Cain and John P. Cain. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mt. St. Mary Convent, 100 Mansfield Ave., Burlington, VT on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11:00 AM. There will be visiting hours at Mount Saint Mary from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM on Friday, October 19, 2018. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy in support of their works of mercy, in care of the Local Coordinator, Sisters of Mercy, 100 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401. Arrangements are in the care of the Ready Funeral Home South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, VT. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Sister Virginia Cain, RSM, please visit our Tribute Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sister Virginia Cain RSM 2018.
Death notice for the town of: Burlington, state: Vermont