The Art of Quiet Witness
Quiet Brushstrokes. Sacred Moments. Stories That Endure.
Sr. Corky Muzzy, CSJP, has spent her life in ministry—from pastoral care and formation to congregational leadership. Rooted in deep faith and a contemplative spirit, her creative expressions often reflect the beauty and resilience she sees in the lives of those around her.
Drawing and painting have not been a lifelong pursuit for Sr. Corky, but during her novitiate and temporary professed years of religious life—as well as on retreats—she took time to capture a few photographs and then attempt to replicate them in paint.
Though she doesn’t consider herself a professional artist, her work offers a quiet reflection on community, aging, memory, and the sacred lives of women who have shaped the congregation.
Her three portraits invite us to pause and honor the strength, wisdom, and witness of those who have come before us. Alongside them are a few additional pieces -images she encountered that also carry a quiet witness of their own. Each, in its own way, reflects her attentiveness to the sacred in both people and the everyday world around her.
“Sr. Jean Marie Gallant, CSJP (1900–1997)”
Born in Prince Edward Island, Sr. Jean Marie was already a teacher before entering religious life, serving in Nelson and Fernie, BC. Drawn to the healing professions, she pursued dual training in Orthopedic Nursing and the emerging field of Occupational Therapy—a discipline developed during World War I to help wounded soldiers recover through purposeful activity.
She went on to serve as nursing supervisor for Orthopedics at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham, where many Alaskan Native children were treated for tuberculosis. Known for her skill and compassion, Sr. Jean Marie made sure the children’s education continued by creating a well‑equipped, organized classroom on site and by establishing an active Women’s Auxiliary.
After retiring from hospital work, she continued to serve, developing a program for senior residents at the Josephinum in downtown Seattle. Her legacy is one of compassion, advocacy, and healing—especially for those in remote or often‑overlooked communities.
Peace and justice are not always loud or visible. Sometimes, they show up in a nurse’s hands, in the logistics of a treatment agreement, or in the quiet act of holding space for a child to learn and heal.
Sr. Anastasia Daigle, CSJP (1902–2002)
Born in Truro, Nova Scotia, Sr. Anastasia spent her religious life in loving service to others as a nurse, sacristan, and friend of the poor. She ministered in several CSJP hospitals and convents in Bellingham, Seattle, and Nelson, BC, and during her retirement years at St. Mary’s, she devoted herself to organizing volunteers to meet the needs of those served by the Seattle First Avenue Service Center.
Known for her humble persistence, she once said with a smile, “I’m a beggar, and I don’t mind begging for the poor.” Whether asking for donations, offering a word of comfort, or quietly serving behind the scenes, she gave of herself freely and without hesitation. Her life was a gentle yet powerful witness of self‑giving love. At her 60th Jubilee, she shared words that still echo with truth:
“Give your whole self to God… don’t hold back. Take each day at a time. Let God in you do what needs to be done. If you love enough, you can put up with a lot.”
Sr. Cecilia Marie Arsenault, CSJP
Sr. Cecilia Marie devoted her religious life to service in quiet yet essential ways, ministering as a cook and housekeeper in several CSJP hospitals and school convents in Seattle, Mt. Vernon, Longview, and Mercer Island. Beyond her duties in the kitchen, she became a familiar and beloved presence in each parish she served, faithfully visiting the sick and homebound.
In Mt. Vernon, she was especially remembered for her three‑wheeled cycle rides through town—making her visiting rounds to bring comfort to the sick and food to those in need. Her ministry was as practical as it was compassionate, meeting both the physical and spiritual needs of those she encountered.
Even in retirement at St. Mary’s, Sr. Cecilia brought the same quiet joy to her days, often fishing from the dock—a simple pleasure that reflected her closeness to creation and her steady, faithful spirit.
“God gave me two hands, a willing heart, and a three‑wheeled cycle. That was all I needed to bring comfort to the sick and food to the hungry.”
