Sister Margaret Hughes NDS

Sister Margaret Mary Hughes, NDS

Sister of Our Lady of Sion

October 11, 1948 - January 6, 2026

The Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, along with Margaret's sisters, Joan and Theresa, sadly announce the death of Sister Margaret Hughes NDS on January 6, 2026, in Saskatoon.

Margaret's life began in Edson, Alberta, October 11, 1948, when she became the third of six children. She is predeceased by her Father Cy (Cyril), Hughes, Mother Kay (Kathleen) Hughes, brothers Jim and Bob, and sister Mary. She is survived by her sisters Joan and Theresa. Her brother, Bob, who was severely disabled, was the center of the family and each one grew up putting his needs before all else and never regretting it. Putting others first, was at Margaret's core.

Margaret was raised in Edmonton, Alberta and graduated from Austin O'Brien High School in June 1966. There she had met the Sisters of Sion. She entered the Congregation on August 15, at age 17, in the Formation Community in Saskatoon and then pronounced vows as a Sister of Sion on September 8, 1968.

She attended the University of Saskatchewan for a year, in Bachelor of Arts classes, and then acquired a teaching certificate at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. She enjoyed her first three years of teaching, in 1970-73, at St. Ignatius School. Six years in Toronto (1973-79) provided further opportunities for her ongoing formation and ministry in education.

However, the call to return to Winnipeg, for work with First Nations people filled the next forty years of her life. The United Church Native Ministry Board welcomed her contribution in facilitating workshops with Native Leadership in United Church congregations. In 1981 she founded Wi Wabigooni , an alternative elementary school program, first attached to St. Ignatius school and then the Winnipeg School Division No.1 through Victoria-Albert School. She pursued that commitment to Wi Wabigooni until her retirement in 2015, and to the community of Rossbrook House, a safe place for youth in the inner city, sharing her sense of humour and caring nature, her gifts for compassion and creativity, while encouraging all whose lives she touched to be their best. She was involved in the creation of The Inner-City Voice, a community newspaper dealing with inner-city social justice issues, the annual Rossbrook House pow-wows, an inner-city, intercultural basketball league and in her retirement, Talking Circles in both Winipeg and Saskatoon to further the goals in keeping with the spirit of truth and reconciliation. She loved reading, owls, birding, photography, and did excellent beadwork.

She was interviewed at the time of the opening of the Canadian Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg regarding their display on antisemitism, the Holocaust and the connections for her in her commitment as a Sister of Sion and her work and learnings with First Nations peoples. She was invested into the the Order of Canada in June of 2023.

Margaret served on the Provincial Council (Canada-US) of the Sisters of Sion, 1994-2000 and again from 2013-17. She brought to the Council her sensitivity and creativity in service of the charism of the Congregation in interfaith, justice and intercultural relations. In 2019, Margaret, now 71, moved back to Saskatoon, to Sion's University Drive community. In 2023 there would be one more move, to Trinity Manor in Saskatoon, where she continued to make her thoughtful, reflective, practical, and always good natured, at times humorous contributions. Margaret is and will be most deeply missed.

We remain most grateful to Kathy Daniels and OverC Health, as well as to the staff at Trinity Manor, Samaritan Place, and Royal University Hospital, for their wonderful care of Margaret. We will celebrate Margaret's life in the liturgy offered by Father David Tumback, at St. Patrick Parish, 3339 Centennial Drive in Saskatoon, on Wednesday, January 14, at 10:30. The Mass will be livestreamed. Saskatoon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Rossbrook House and the community built there, that held the belief reflected so deeply in Margaret's life and ministry, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Donations and remembrances in honour of Margaret to Rossbrook House in her name would be sincerely appreciated.

The Mass for Margaret will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 10:30 am at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 339 Centennial Drive, Saskatoon, with Father David Tumback officiating. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

To share memories and condolences, please visit www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home, 306-244-5577.