Mother Magdalen (Williams)

Mother Magdalen (Williams) (1941-2023)

Betty may be spelt Elizabeth.

Magdalen may be spelt Magdalena, Madgalene, Maudelene, Mawdelene, Madeleine.

Early life of Betty Williams

In 1941, Elizabeth Williams was born to Owen and Bess Williams in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They had another daughter also, Roberta. The family ancestry was primarily Welsh. From her youth, Elizabeth was known as Betty Lou.

During her early childhood, Owen Williams was serving in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) during World War II. Betty and her mother travelled with him by rail to the naval base at Halifax, Nova Scotia. They remained there until his discharge at the end of the war.

1946-1957

Upon his return to Canada, during the train-ride home to Alberta in 1946, her father was offered a partnership in Winnipeg, where the family moved and settled down. Owen worked in advertising with Westfair Foods. In Winnipeg, Betty Lou received her primary education, and she began her secondary education.

There also, in 1949, her younger sister Roberta (Bobbie) was born.

Betty and her sister Roberta were raised as Christians within the United Church of Canada. In the parish which they attended, Owen Williams was the Sunday School superintendent, and Bess Williams was the organist.

During this time, Betty was studying music (piano and theory) as well, and taking the regular, annual examinations.

In 1957, at age 16, Betty became a formal member of the United Church of Canada as she continued in her Christian development. In the United Church, this was called “joining the church”.

1957-1960

In 1957 also, the Williams family moved again to Calgary. There, Betty continued her secondary education, and she graduated from high school. In addition, she studied under Western Canada’s foremost piano teacher Gladys Egbert. Betty was one of the first young women to play at the new Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary. Built in 1955, there was a “twin” auditorium in Edmonton.

While studying with the internationally famous Boris Roubakine at the Banff School of Fine Arts, she performed a private recital for Queen Elizabeth II during her 1959 Royal Visit to Canada. Betty completed the requirements to receive the “ATCM” (Associate of the Toronto Conservatory of Music) diploma in music. This diploma became the "ARCT" diploma of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto. She also taught music, and she graduated from high school.

Then, in 1960, the family returned to live in Winnipeg.

Higher education, 1960-1964

In 1960, Betty enrolled in United College, which later became the University of Winnipeg. There, she completed a B.A. Honours Degree in English.

United College, Winnipeg

In addition, she completed the requirements for the L.MM (Licentiate) diploma in music with the Toronto Conservatory. All the while, she taught piano.

Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto

Ethiopia

During this time, Betty travelled with a missionary group “Crossroads Africa” to Ethiopia. This was an organisation that sought to create a more equitable and sustainable world, with North Americans working in collaboration with locals to build a schoolhouse. While there, she encountered the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Betty was interested in this way of living, but at that time she was not ready to probe more deeply. In addition, she met Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, whose reign extended from 1930 to 1974.

Upon returning from Ethopia, with an instrument

During the course of her studies, Betty learned to play the organ also (in part from her mother).

While she was at university, Betty acquired 2 friends in particular, who remained in contact for all her days. These 2 friends entered also into the Orthodox Christian Church later in life.

London, 1964-1967

In 1964, Betty was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study Honours English in London, England, at the University of London. Her studies were at Birkbeck College, in the field of Medieval English.

Her thesis project was based on the life of Richard Rolle of Hampole (at that time, near a community of Cistercian nuns, now in South Yorkshire). He was an English mystic and religious writer who left Oxford to become a hermit.

This focus of study may have been the first indication of her interest in the contemplative life. While a student in London, she was invited to sing in the choir of a Roman Catholic Church. What soon became evident was the desire to become not only a Roman Catholic, but a cloistered nun.

During her student years in London, she had studied “Koine” (New Testament) Greek, and had at one point aspired to translate Scripture into a modern language.

Entering the Roman Catholic Church

In 1965, Betty took the customary preparation, and she entered the Roman Catholic Church.

1967-1968

In 1967, having completed her studies, Betty returned to Winnipeg. Upon her return to Winnipeg, while developing plans to enter a cloistered Cistercian Monastery, she had the opportunity to teach music at a private Catholic girls’ secondary school, Saint Mary’s Academy.

Monastic life, New Brunswick

In 1968, Betty followed her heart, and she moved to New Brunswick, where she entered the Trappistine/Cistercian Monastery, “Notre Dame de l’Assomption Abbey”, located at Nouvelle-Arcadie, New Brunswick (sometimes called Rogersville, after the railway station there).

Although Trappistine nuns (and Trappist monks) live in community as Benedictines, they keep silence (except for liturgical prayers). Thus, the daily activities of growing their own food, cooking, and cleaning were spent in silence. When any talking was allowed, the sisters spoke only in French.

Solemn profession

In 1975, she made her solemn profession as a Cistercian nun. She was given the name Madeleine.

It is helpful to understand that, in the course of her life and her studies, she had become competent in French, Latin, and Greek.

In 1984, after 15 years of daily prayer, work, and worship, having experienced difficulties with her health, Sister Madeleine was given a leave-of-absence from the monastery for a year. She travelled to Ottawa, Ontario, and to Winnipeg, in order to stay with relatives during this time.

In 1985, she felt challenged to seek a new direction beyond the Roman Catholic world. At that time, a friend whom she had met in Cistercian circles, Monk Rodney Ferris, entrusted her with a parcel that was to be given to an Orthodox Priest, Father Seraphim Storheim. At the time, he was rector of Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Sobor (Cathedral) at 643, Manitoba Avenue, in Winnipeg. She arranged to meet him ; and after attending Orthodox Vespers and then the Divine Liturgy, she realised quickly that Orthodox Christianity was what her heart had been searching for all along. In that parish (Holy Trinity Sobor) at that time, some services had begun to be offered regularly in the English language. Thus, she embraced the Orthodox Christian Faith. At this time, she requested to leave the Cistercian Order, and she resumed the use of her original name.

Holy Trinity Sobor, Winnipeg

1986-1995 ; reception into the Orthodox Christian Church

In 1986, Betty was received into the Orthodox Christian Church in Holy Trinity Sobor in Winnipeg. Her sponsor was Constance V Kucharczyk, granddaughter of one of the founding families of the parish. Following are photos from the Service of Reception with Betty-Lou and Connie :

Connie Kucharczyk was a graduate of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in New York, USA, and of the Institute for Ecumenical Studies in Bossey, Switzerland. Constance enriched Betty’s understanding by sharing class notes of several courses that she had taken at Saint Vladimir's Seminary. She also shared many details of the history of Holy Trinity parish, and she helped Betty to understand and to acquire the Gospel-based world-view of Orthodox Christianity. They remained in frequent contact from the beginning.

After this, Betty taught music, did housekeeping, and she became involved in choir work at Holy Trinity Sobor.

In the Holy Trinity Sobor choir, 1993

Her monastic formation did not leave her, and she continued to live much as would a monk. She did so for a time in the home of her parents (for whom she took care in various ways until their times of repose) ; then in rooms in the home of Father Robert Stephen and Matushka Dianne Kennaugh ; and then in rooms on the second floor at the rear of Holy Trinity Parish Hall (the “School Building”). Still yearning for the contemplative life, she travelled extensively, and she visited various monasteries in Europe and in America.

Saint John the Baptist Monastery, Essex, UK

In 1992, it became possible for her to make a retreat amongst the nuns at Saint John the Baptist Monastery in Essex, England. There, she received much help and guidance through her encounters with the nuns, and with Archimandrite (now Saint) Sophrony (Sakharov), and the other monks and nuns who had been there from the beginning. This particular encounter supported her for the rest of her days.

Aerial view of Saint John the Baptist Monastery

Bereavement, 1995

On 10 April, 1995, Bess Lynette Williams fell asleep in the Lord. After the funeral service, her body was interred at the Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg.

Renewal of monastic life

In 1995, Betty was tonsured as a novice (rasophore) nun by Hieromonk David (Edwards). She became part of the Monastic Community of Saint Silouan the Athonite at Johnstown, Ontario, and she was known as Sister Betty (Williams).

Holy Trinity Sobor choir

At this time, she became the choir-director at Holy Trinity Sobor. She lived in a small apartment in the School Building of the parish. Here, her musical training on every level (one might say that her musical gift was part of her, to the marrow of her bones) was both beneficial and fruitful.

It was a challenge to direct this choir both in English and in Church Slavonic. She learned how to read the letters of Slavonic, but she had not learnt to speak or understand either Ukrainian or Russian. Because of the nature of her Christian love, she simply loved the parishioners and the singers. This love sustained her labour of love, and prayed for them all. Joy was constantly visible in her.

Stavrophore tonsure, 1996

On 7 October, 1996, Rasophore Betty (Williams) was tonsured as a Stavrophore (Lesser Schema) Nun at the Bishop’s Chapel of Saint Silouan in Johnstown, Ontario, by Bishop Seraphim (Storheim), with the sponsorship of Mother Dorothy (Mirochnitchenko). She was given the name Magdalen (Williams) at this time. When she was thus tonsured, because of the need, she received the blessing as reader and precentorto continue leading the Holy Trinity Cathedral choir, which she did for many years thereafter (first with Esther Juce, and then alone).

Mother Magdalen (Williams) at Holy Trinity Sobor

Bereavement, 2000

On 8 February, 2000, Owen Noble Williams fell asleep in the Lord. A memorial service was held on Saturday, 19 February, 2000, at 2:00 p.m., at Windsor Park United Church. Following the service, his body was interred at the Riverside Cemetery.

Studying iconography in Finland, 2003

During the summer of 2003, Mother Magdalen travelled to Finland, and to New Valamo Monastery there. During her time there, she visited both New Valamo Holy Transfiguration Men’s Monastery at Heinävesi, and Lintula Holy Trinity Women’s Monastery at Palokki, also in Heinävesi. New Valamo Monastery was in those days led by Archimandrite Sergei (Rajapolvi). Lintula Monastery was at that time led by Abbess Marina (Iltola).

Her other purpose in travelling to New Valamo Monastery was to participate in a course that taught iconography in the Valamo Lay Academy. The course was taught by Hieromonk Vladmimir (Lysak), a Canadian who was part of the New Valamo Brotherhood. In Finland at that time, there were several graduates of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, USA.

Move to a private apartment, 2004

In 2004, with the beginning of pastoral changes at Holy Trinity Sobor, Mother Magdalen (Williams) withdrew from directing the choir. At this time also, she moved out of the rooms in the Parish School Building, and she took up residence in a house on Anderson Avenue, near Saint John’s Anglican Cathedral and Cemetery. It was also near the Ukrainian Orthodox Consistory offices.

More iconographic training

It was at about this time that Connie Kucharczyk and she took courses with Vladislav Andreev of the Prosopon School of Iconography. Originally from Saint Petersburg (Leningrad), Russia, he had arrived in the USA, and he had begun teaching iconography under the blessing of Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor) of Washington, and Archbishop Peter (l’Huillier) of New York. He was teaching courses locally in several Canadian cities.

Following this, they both became apprentice-iconographers with Vera Senchuk of Winnipeg.

Icon painting unleashed her creative spirit, as well as allowing opportunity for contemplation and prayer. She wrote the Deacons’ Doors at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Narol, Manitoba, and some of the icons in the apse of Holy Trinity Orthodox Sobor. Eventually her failing eyesight did not allow the intense focus required to do this work.

Editing and proofing

Her passion for etymology, her extensive training in English and “Koine Greek”, her fluency in French, and her exposure to Slavic languages, made her and exquisite editor, especially of religious and theological texts.

At Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Narol

In 2005, Mother Magdalen began to attend Saint Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church in Narol, Manitoba. At this time, she received the blessing to pursue more carefully a life of solitude and prayer.

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Narol

Solitude and prayer support iconography. She became proficient in this, and she was able to participate with Vera and others in developing the mural iconography at Holy Trinity Sobor.

Move to Ukrainian Millennium Villa, 2017 ; at Holy Trinity Sobor

On 1 May, 2017, Mother Magdalen found that it was necessary to move from her apartment because the owner needed it. By God’s Providence, a small apartment was available at the Ukrainian Millennium Villa on Burrows Avenue, next to Saint Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor. After she moved into this apartment, she found that she could maintain her rhythm of prayer and have the necessary solitude. At the same time, she lived amongst many Ukrainian Orthodox believers.

By this time, because it was in walking-distance, Holy Trinity Sobor at Manitoba Avenue and McKenzie Street became her spiritual home. Generally, she attended the early English-language service of a Sunday.

Ukrainian Millennium Villa

It did not matter where Mother Magdalen lived, or that she lived a quite solitary life as an eremitical monk. Because of the nature of her genuine love of the Saviour Jesus Christ, she loved people around her in a spontaneous and genuine manner. She had very many people who sought her direction in various parts of North America, and in Europe. Until she could do it no longer, she wrote cards and notes by hand on particular occasions to many of these. In the course of her day, she would spend much time in the Presence of the Lord, and with her she would bear in her heart before Him those for whom she cared and interceded (this was, effectively, everyone she knew). She also assisted in various writing and publication projects by editing and proof-reading in an extremely competent manner. All her educational and linguistic preparation in life undergirded this contribution.

From time to time, Mother Magdalen was able to return to the parish of Saint Nicholas in Narol, Manitoba, for special occasions. One such was for the ordination of Deacon Stephen Sharman to the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Irénée (Rochon) on 29 June, 2018.

At Narol, 2018

Ultimately, despite having serious eye and heart troubles, she was undauntable, and she was an inspiration and unfailing help to all her friends and acquaintances.

In her journey in the Lord, although she had desired to find a vocation within an Orthodox Christian monastic community, Mother Magdalen found solace in her solitude wherever she found herself, and to everyone that she met was a witness to the joy of Christ’s Kingdom to the end of her days.

Hospitalisation, 2023

In October, 2023, the fragility of Mother Magdalen’s heart became debilitating. All the measures she had taken in order to maintain her labours of love were no longer sufficient. One medication improved her breathing, but its side-effects were such that she could not continue using it. Breathing became very difficult. One hospital visit brought an increase of medication, but this had no real effect, and she was taken at last to the emergency department of Saint Boniface Hospital (in Saint Boniface, Winnipeg).

There, where she was being adequately treated, she was in the multiple-bed section, where there was constant activity and tumult because of the various sufferings that were being treated. Sleep was rarely possible, and the situation put to the test all the prayerful formation of her life. She persevered in her love for the Lord. Eventually, it was understood that she was coming to the end of her days. Later, a room in the Cardiac Care Department was found. Although not private, it was quieter, and visitors were able to come for a time. During these days, Mother Magdalen made her confession and she received the Holy Mysteries several times ; she was anointed ; she was prayed for by several priests : she received intensive pastoral care. Mother Magdalen used this time to ask about various persons, and to address details regarding her belongings and her funeral. Then, because of her fragility, she had to be as much alone as possible, which she was given, with little pain, until the time of her very peaceful repose in the Lord.

Repose, 2023

On Friday, 3 November, 2023, Mother Magdalen (Williams) fell asleep in the Lord at Saint Boniface Hospital. Immediately, a panikhida (memorial service) was served at her bedside (the prayers of parting of the soul had been offered earlier).

Later, her body was prepared for the funeral by 2 women, who dressed her in her monastic habit. Then, her body was placed in the coffin (which had been made many years previously by Archpriest Larry Reinheimer).

The coffin

First preparation ; further preparation ; final preparation

On Friday, 10 November, 2023, the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Monk was served at 7:00 p.m. in Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (2255, Grant Avenue, Winnipeg). Priest Matthew Beynon led the service, and he was assisted by 7 other priests.

Monastic funeral service

On Saturday, 11 November, 2023, the Memorial Divine Liturgy was served at 10:00 a.m., in Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg. As before, Priest Matthew Beynon presided, and he was assisted by 7 other priests. Following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Memorial Litya was served.

The concluding litya

After the conclusion of the Funeral obsequies, a memorial meal, prepared by parishioners, was offered in the parish hall.

Following the memorial meal, a procession of vehicles proceeded to Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church at Narol, Manitoba. A short panikhida was served within the Temple.

Panikhida in the Temple at Narol

There, in the cemetery of the parish, a final Litya was served, and the body of Nun Magdalen (Williams) was interred in the prepared grave.

At the grave

After this, further light refreshments were served in the basement of the Temple.

Reflections

Esther Juce, who knew Mother Magdalen for several decades, has summarised how others have perceived and experienced Mother Magdalen :

A wonderful friend passed away Friday night at 7:30. But this was not a moment
unto despair ; this was a continuation of her life-long journey.

Mother Magdalen (Betty) Williams was an Orthodox Christian nun from Winnipeg,
Manitoba who deeply touched everyone that had the blessing to meet her, from the
dentist to the dog-catcher, from the priest to the pan-handler.

She was a pianist, vocalist, choir director, translator, editor, iconographer,
calligrapher, notorious punster, spiritual inspiration, and most of all a friend.

In her living, she brought people together, with great joy and deep
humility. Likewise, in her dying, people are coming together over her, (more than
John Lennon could ever express [!]). Her dying recalls the lyrics from the Lutheran
hymn sung during Holy Week, ‘Go to Dark Gethsemane’ : ‘“It is finished” hear Him
cry : Learn from Jesus Christ to die’. Hers has been a good death, if that is even
possible. Mother Magdalen faced her earthly end with joy and thanksgiving, so
much so that the medical personnel at St. Boniface Hospital said they'd never seen
someone approach their passing with such grace and peace. She knew how to abase
and how to abound, and truly incarnated the words, ‘Count it all joy, brothers and
sisters, when you meet various trials [...]’ (James 1:2). Her inspiring life and death
give new meaning to the words of Paul of Tarsus : ‘O death, where is your victory ? O
Hades, where is your sting ?’ (I Corinthians 15:55). This, indeed, is good news !

Fortieth Day Memorial

On Tuesday, 12 December, 2023, the 40th-Day Panikhida (Memorial Service) was offered at 6:00 p.m., at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral (643, Manitoba Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba). Fathers Matthew Beynon and Roman Pavlov served, and a four-part choir led by Elissa Hay sang the responses. Following the service, wheat and rice Kollivo were available for the Faithful, numbering about 40.

A memorial meal was served in the hall, attended by about 30 people. The repast comprised true "Mother Magdalen fare" : rice cakes, peanut butter, almond butter, tahini ; sweet kale salad ; squash, corn, and green bean soup ; fresh and dried fruit, and advent baking ; coffee and various teas, including an organic tea imported from the mountains of Greece.

There was a display featuring cherished photographs, her Life-Story of Mother Magdalen, materials pertaining to her spiritual journey and musical background, as well as brief profiles of her family members. Esther Juce-Engel gave a personal reflection on her Life-Story, an account made possible by Mother Magdalen's only sister Bobbie Olson of Calgary ; spiritual father Monk Seraphim of Ottawa ; and friend Leslee Mansour of Nova Scotia.

This was a special time of prayer and remembering, and of the joy of knowing that Mother Magdalen is praying for us as we are praying for her. She was an inspiration to us all, but we in our earthly state will miss her.

Following is a further reflection at the 40th day memorial by Esther Juce-Engel :

 Reflections on the Life of Mother Magdalen Williams (1941-2023)
 These are based on a few thoughts that I shared at the Forty-Day Memorial 
 after Mother Magdalen reposed, held on December 12th, 2023. 
 
 Music was one of the fields in which Mother Magdalen excelled.  For 
 example, she was a brilliant pianist.  I once witnessed her sight-reading a 
 difficult piece.  After having played only two measures of the music, she 
 began adding in extra notes and chords without skipping a beat.  She also 
 had an angelic voice and an extensive knowledge of music in general.  As 
 well, Mother M. had a talent for setting and arranging music.  Some of her 
 work is still enjoyed at her previous parish, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church 
 in Narol, Manitoba.  Perhaps one of her lasting legacies was her anonymous 
 transcription of the Obikhod Octoechos, her beloved ‘cheat-sheets’, to which 
 many a frustrated choir director or singer have often turned.
 
 ‘The nun’ was a notorious punster.  I lived on the fourth floor and she on 
 the fifth of our apartment building.  This was one light-hearted exchange :
 I :  ‘You’re always above me !’
 She :  ‘You’re always supporting me !’
 I :  ‘We’re taking this humour to a new level !’
 She :  ‘Well, when I try to make these jokes, they always come out flat !’ 
 
 Of course, it was her spiritual life that most defined Mother Magdalen. 
 While she had travelled through certain western Christian faith traditions, 
 she was not ultimately at home until she entered the Orthodox Church.
 
 The young Betty Williams’ first exposure to Orthodoxy was in her experience 
 of worship in Ethiopia while there with Crossroads International in 1964.  
 The next inkling came when she watched the beginning of the 1965 epic 
 film, Dr. Zhivago, which depicts a woman that is being buried in her 
 wedding gown.  The music, solemnity, and reverence of the Orthodox 
 funeral service in the movie all made a deep impression on her.  But these 
 were only the beginnings.
 
 While in her Roman Catholic cloister, ‘Sister Madeleine’ had experienced 
 some disequilibrium, but found solace in some Orthodox books that were in 
 the possession of the Abbess there, among them The Orthodox Church by 
 Timothy Ware.  Eventually she had to take leave of the cloister, returning to 
 the refuge of her parents in Winnipeg in 1984.
 
 It was then and there in the city of her childhood that ‘Betty’ discovered
 Orthodoxy.  After having participated in only a few services and meeting 
 certain key people, such as the then Father Seraphim Storheim who 
 eventually became her spiritual father, she was smitten !  She entered the 
 catechumenate, being received into the Church in 1986.  Nine years later, 
 she was tonsured with the name Magdalen and came to fully realise her 
 monastic vocation.
 
 Mother Magdalen’s love, humility, and pure joy of Christ’s Kingdom were 
 infectious ; she was an inspiration and example to all.  There were some 
 spiritual giants that influenced her life, especially Saint John of Kronstadt 
 and Saint Silouan the Athonite.  She once quipped that if she had to jump 
 out of a burning building, she would have the Bible under one arm, and 
 either My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt or Saint Silouan the 
 Athonite by Saint Sophrony under the other !  She said that she was glad 
 that she never had to make that decision !
 
 Mother Magdalen once shared with me her brief encounter with this same 
 Father Sophrony when she visited his monastery in Essex, England shortly 
 before her tonsure.  She said that during the entire time of her stay, she 
 remained in her room, too intimated to come out.  Then, on her last day, 
 she took courage and ventured out into the garden.  And whom did she 
 meet on the path but the monk who later would come to be known as Saint
 Sophrony of Essex.  On that final day, their eyes met but for a few moments 
 and no words were exchanged.   But our future nun Magdalen said that all 
 that she could sense was this man’s love and humility ; she saw his 
 holiness instantly.
 
 As I said to all gathered at the Memorial that night, Saint Sophrony admired 
 the words of Saint Silouan, who was later acknowledged to be a saint ; and 
 Mother Magdalen in turn recognised the sanctity of Saint Sophrony, who in 
 like manner was also glorified in the Church.  Now, we, too, who have 
 known Mother Magdalen are all well acquainted with her saintliness.  So, it 
 only goes to show, it takes one to know one !
 
 Lovingly offered by Esther G. Juce

May Mother Magdalen rest in God's Eternal Memory ! Her soul shall dwell with the blessed !

Photos taken by Roberta Olson (born Williams) in Winnipeg :