Colección yuk-783 - Sisters of St. Ann collection

The Sisters of St. Ann arrived in Dawson City, Yukon, in July 1898 and remained until 1963. They initially came to assist the Roman Catholic priest, Father William Judge, in the operation of a hospital he had opened in the north end of town, in the summer of 1897. St. Mary's School was opened by Father Gendreau on September 3, 1899. Over the years the Sisters cared for the sick, taught classes, helped the aged and performed other good works consistent with Gospel teachings and called "works of charity". A three-story hospital was built in 1906. This building burned down on an extremely cold night in January 1950. Sister Gedeon, a patient in the infirmary, died shortly after the fire, probably due to smoke inhalation. The Court House, once used by the North West Mounted Police (NWMP), at the south end of town was renovated and turned into the new hospital. The Commissioner's Residence became the home for the aged and infirm patients. The Sisters lived on the second floor. The Sisters decided to close the residence, hospital and school in 1963 for a number of reasons. The buildings were deteriorating and too costly to maintain, the number of patients was decreasing, the Yukon Consolidated Gold Company (YCGC) announced its decision to close, and the Yukon Government was assuming care of its aged population. The closing of the ministry concluded with the unexpected death of Sister Ignatia. She had chosen to drive from Dawson City to Victoria and died of a heart attack just before reaching Whitehorse.