or Isabelle, known in religion as Isabella de Saint-André (15 April 1796-26 May 1866), member of religious order. (La Mère Isabelle McDonell de St. André, Mère Saint-André McDonell, M. Saint-André) Born in GC. Parents: Donald McDonell and his wife, whose name is given in French-language context as Marie McDonell. Isabelle McDonell, the subject of the present biography, was a nun in the historic, celebrated Ursuline Convent (which had the title of Monastery) in Quebec City. She entered the convent on 31 May 1821, took the veil on 30 Aug. 1821, and made her profession (took her final vows) on 26 Aug. 1823. In the teaching work of the nuns, she was active in classes in English, being herself an English speaker. She was superior of the convent 1842-1848, 1854-1857, 1863-1866. She is said to have been the niece of Bishop Alexander Macdonell, the bishop of Upper Canada. His consecration as bishop, with the title of Bishop of Rhesaena, had taken place in the chapel of the Ursuline Convent on 31 Dec. 1820, half a year before Isabelle McDonell entered the convent.

     Isabelle McDonell, the subject of the present biography, had a sister Ann (15 July 1805-18 Jan. 1888), who was also a nun in this convent, and who was known in religion as Ann de Saint-Jean l’Évangéliste. She was born in GC, as was at least one other nun in the convent at this time, Isabelle McDonell (25 March 1838-29 March 1874), who was known in religion as Isabelle de Saint-Stanislas, and was the daughter of Angus McDonell and his wife whose name is given in French-language context as Marie McDonell. And it is remembered that Ellen MacDonell, later Mrs Donald MacDonell of the 5th Concession, Lochiel Township, was born in GC and studied at the convent. See also George Harrison for his daughters.

     The reference in A. M. Pope’s 1881 article on Glengarry to “Mother St. Xavier, for years the respected superior of the Ursuline Convent in Quebec,” is apparently a mistaken reference to Mother St. André.

Information very kindly supplied by the Archives des Ursulines, Quebec City * Ellen MacDonell: Butternuts and Maple Sugar 198