Sister Marilyn Kelly’s official obituary notice reported her death in Pembroke, Ont., on March 21, 2026, after 71 years of religious life in the Congregation of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. It recounted her ministry in hospitals, schools, spiritual direction, and retreats, both in Ontario and briefly in Saskatchewan.
What was missing was a description of her time in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, where for 16 years she was a much-loved and appreciated figure who contributed greatly to the spiritual life of our local Church.
She came to Vancouver to launch the pastoral care program at the new Columbus Residence on West 69th Avenue. Her zeal, along with her devotion to the ideals of the foundress of her religious order, St. Marguerite Youville, and Knights of Columbus founder Blessed Michael McGivney, quickly demonstrated a unique style of Catholic ministry to patients and staff alike.
Her legacy continues today at Columbus Residence, which boasts a Catholic chapel and a strong commitment to the Church.
Looking for a fresh challenge and encouraged by the availability of a worthy successor in Mary Crooks, a dedicated laywoman whom she mentored, Sister Marilyn rented a large house in Queensborough and opened a retreat centre. She took great pride in making it comfortable and warm.
Trained in spiritual direction, she offered private and group retreats and much-appreciated courses in prayer with lectio divina.
When the Queensborough house was no longer available, she relocated the retreat centre to the sixth floor of Youville Residence, which had been used to lodge patients and family from nearby hospitals until other Grey Sisters withdrew.
Without staff or significant budget, but with the help of many volunteers, she again created a home-like atmosphere and a rooftop patio.
Her apostolic works in the Archdiocese were characterized by a spirit of partnership with lay helpers—a practical necessity but much more than that as she formed a close bond with the volunteers, some of whom joined the Grey Sisters’ associate program (and one of whom briefly entered the community).
During her time in Vancouver, Sister Marilyn served as sponsor to Richard and Louisa Chau when the couple entered into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2010. She had the joy of seeing Richard ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese seven years later.
Knowing she needed to be closer to her community as she aged, Sister Marilyn returned to Ottawa in 2010. But she did not retire, continuing a ministry of spiritual direction there.
When she moved to the Grey Sisters’ retirement home in Pembroke, she began a final phase of her religious life that she characterized as “becoming a contemplative.” Living quietly in a room decorated with religious images and pictures of loved ones, she slowly let go of most outside activities in favour of a life focused on prayer.
She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and relished the silence of the empty chapel in the night hours when the other sisters were fast asleep.
Sister Marilyn relied throughout her religious life on the spiritual support and friendship of priests, while encouraging us in our vocations.
I had preached at her Jubilee Mass in Vancouver, but illness prevented me from keeping my promise to preach at her funeral Mass. Pembroke Bishop Michael Brehl, who had visited her during her final illness, attended, with Pembroke Chancellor Father Ryan Holly as the homilist.
Sister Marilyn died after a “long Lent” of suffering, during which she many times declared her readiness—in fact, her desire—to be with the Lord. A full year after she was told death was near, her wish was fulfilled and she was laid to rest on March 25, the joyful feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.
Msgr. Gregory Smith is Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
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