Early Life

Sister Agnes Fillion (Aggie), was born in Viscount, a small town in Saskatchewan Sept. 10, 1919. 

Aggie was the 12th child in a family of 14. She said:

“I grew up washing dishes, stacks of dishes and kind of took a liking to it, so I continued washing dishes all my life.”

First Encounter with the RNDMs

The family moved to Regina when Aggie was in elementary school. This was her first encounter with RNDMs at Holy Rosary school. Later, at Sacred Heart Academy, Aggie realized that she had a vocation to this religious order.

She and her friend, Irene Oliver, after eating lunch at school, would go to the chapel at the Academy, not so much to pray but to hear the sisters at recreation in a room nearby. They would hear the laughter of the sisters and they both wanted to be part of such a joyous group.

Entering the Novitiate, Teaching Career and Illness

So, sometime later, Irene and Aggie asked to be admitted to the Novitiate in Regina in 1938. After the Novitiate, Aggie was sent to Manitoba and served for a few years as a boarders’ mistress and a cook and a jack of all trades in various communities in Manitoba before she attended Teachers’ College in Brandon Manitoba. Unfortunately, Aggies’ time in the classroom was cut short due to several years of illness. However, as soon as she felt better she became a volunteer at the hospital in Winnipeg, cheering the patients.

School for Special Needs Children

In 1969, Aggie was asked if she would like to help establish a school for special needs children. This school began in the top floor of Sacred Heart College and was Sr. Marion McGuigan’s dream. Not knowing what it might entail Aggie first declined, but after a moment of thought she said “Yes”.

When she was introduced to one of the children she felt frightened and wondered if this mission was for her. A little Down Syndrome boy saw her and grabbed her by her skirt. When she bent down to undo his grasp he threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly. At that moment she felt her heart go flip flop. She was won over by the love of a small child.

She responded: “The love that I had stored up within me was finally drawn out and the more I gave the more I got back.”

Aggie, along with other Sisters, continued to work in this mission for many years as the ministry grew until it moved to St. Augustine school and then became part of the Regina Catholic School System.

Garritty Home

By then, Aggie had moved to Garritty home where the sisters lived with mentally challenged adults. Sister Aggie’s gifts of compassion, understanding, humility and a great sense of humor and fun were invaluable in this wonderful ministry.

Move to Santa Maria

After twenty five years, it was time for Aggie to move to the RNDM Community at Santa Maria in 1999. How difficult it was for her to leave her “beloved children”.

God had more plans for her as Aggie opened up to her new home and found many more people to love… the residents in care at Santa Maria Nursing Home. Her visits to the patients brought joy both to her and the elderly sick. Meanwhile the nursing staff was touched by Aggie’s care and concern not just for the residents but also themselves!

Encouraging Student Sisters

Once again Aggie’s goodness and humor bubbled forth when student Sisters from other countries began staying at the RNDM community at Santa Maria. They shared their day to day lives with Aggie and she gave them lots of love, encouragement and advice all with humor.

Admitted to Santa Maria Nursing Home

Finally Aggie herself was admitted to the nursing home. Although hard for her to accept, she made her room, her home, appreciating all those who came to see her. She had always loved nature and now she had the opportunity to admire the changes in the trees from her window. She would often exclaim: “Beautiful!!” when she saw flowers in bloom.

Love of People and the Challenges of Covid-19

Aggie loved people especially “little ones” and her many priest friends. She was a true extrovert and carried many young and old in her heart. COVID-19 was very hard on Aggie. Sister Marilyn spent time with her each day but no others were allowed. The isolation was very difficult for her to bear. A few weeks before she died two of the sisters were permitted to visit with her outside in the garden.

Called to Eternal Life

On the morning of June 30 Aggie felt dizzy after she got up. The nurse’s aide helped her to her wheelchair and within a few moments Sr. Aggie, in the company of Sr. Marilyn and the nurse, went to the Lord.

Funeral

Aggie’s funeral took place at Holy Rosary Cathedral on July 7th, 2020, with Fr. Brad Fahlman presiding. Although social distancing and masks were required we sang some of her favorite hymns. One line in the hymn she really appreciated was:

“As long as I live, Jesus make me your servant”.

Indeed, the Lord Jesus had made Aggie His servant. She generously shared her joy, mischief, love and devotion for more than 80 years as a Sister of our Lady of the Missions. We are grateful for the love Aggie received from the staff at Santa Maria. And we thank Sr. Marilyn for her generous care for our 100 year old Aggie in her last days.