Please join us in prayer for these recently deceased members of our Congregation:
Faithful God, grant our Sisters and Associates everlasting peace.
They loved you greatly in this life.
May they be at home in Your Presence for time and eternity.
So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are a part of us.
Sister Dianne Lee Roncarati (Sr. Walter Theresa), 73, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Providence, RI on February 26, 2020. A native of Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Leno and Rina (Pirani) Roncarati.
Sister Dianne graduated from Cathedral High School ’64 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish in Springfield in 1964. Sister earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.A.T. from Rhode Island College in Providence RI.
Sister Dianne taught science in the Pawtucket Catholic schools of the Diocese of Providence including Our Lady of Consolation School and St. Raphael Academy. Sister taught at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, Mass., and taught and served as Dean of Students at Bishop Keough High School in Pawtucket, RI.
In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Dianne leaves to cherish her memory her dear friend Sr. Patricia Rahaim, many faithful colleagues and friends, several generations of grateful students and the caring staff at Steere House in Providence, RI. Sister Dianne was preceded in death by her parents.
All services for Sr. Dianne will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke, Mass., on Monday, March 2, 2020. She will be waked from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM with a prayer service at 10:00 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Sister Marguerite Blackburn (Jean Frances), 87, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Rutland, VT on July 23, 2016. Born in St. Albans, VT she was the daughter of William and Frances (Frost) Blackburn.
Sister Marguerite entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from St. Mary Parish, St. Albans, VT in 1948. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two congregations merged. She was graduated from St. Mary High School, St. Albans, VT. She earned a B.S. degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider, Rutland, VT and an M.A. from St. Michael College, Winooski, VT.
Sister served in the ministry of education in: St. Peter and Christ the King Schools in Rutland; St. Francis de Sales School in Bennington; St. Anthony School in White River Junction; St. Michael School in Brattleboro; St. Mary School in Fair Haven. She ministered in the Appalachia Child Development Program in Lancaster, KY. Most recently she served in the Foster Grandparent Program and as Library Coordinator at Christ the King School, Rutland.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by many friends.
The wake will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church, Convent Ave., Rutland. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Sister Mary Cadigan, (Joseph Mary), 79, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Springfield on June 17, 2016. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of John J. and Mary E. (Kirkpatrick) Cadigan.
Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke, Mass. in 1958. She was graduated from Holyoke High School and attended the Providence Hospital School of Nursing, Holyoke, and became a registered nurse.
Beginning in 1961 Sister spent 29 years as a nurse at the Mont Marie Infirmary in Holyoke. She also served as a registered nurse at the Mont Marie Health Care Center 1991-2006 until her retirement. She was a member of the switchboard staff until 2014, continuing as a volunteer for pastoral services until the day of her death.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her brother, John Cadigan of Holyoke and by several nephews and nieces and their families. She was predeceased by her siblings Thomas, James and Margaret Cadigan.
All services for Sr. Mary Cadigan will take place at Mont Marie on Wednesday, June 22. She will be waked from 2:30 – 4:30 with a prayer service at 3:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 5:00. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.
Sister Grace Belforti, (Edward Anna), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. on March 20, 2016. A native of Milford, Mass., she was the daughter of Edward and Grace (Byrnes) Belforti.
Sister Grace entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Hopedale, Mass. in 1947. She was graduated from St. Mary High School, Milford. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. from Assumption College, Worcester.
Sister taught at St. Stephen School and the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Worcester and St. Mary High School, Milford. For over 20 years she served as a guidance counselor at Cathedral High School, Springfield and staffed the Social Studies Resource Center there. Sister also served her congregation as coordinator of the Team for Apostolic Ministry.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her sisters, Sr. Claire Belforti, SSJ of Framingham and Frances Giacomuzzi of Vero Beach, FL and by several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her sisters Marie Gaffney of Worcester and Ann Lopes of Milford.
The wake will take place at Bethany Health Care Center, 93 Bethany Rd., Framingham, Mass. on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 9:15 to 10:15 with a prayer service at 10:15. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Milford, Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Arrangements entrusted to Norton Funeral Home.
Sister Norma A. MacDonald, (Mildred Joseph), 92, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on November 14, 2015. A native of Northampton, Mass., she was the daughter of Frank and Mildred (Anderson) MacDonald. Sister Norma entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Northampton in 1940. She was graduated from St. Michael High School, Northampton and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.
In the Diocese of Springfield Sister Norma taught in Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament Schools, Holyoke; St. Joseph School, North Adams; and Immaculate Conception School, West Springfield. In the Diocese of Worcester she taught in St. Louis School, Webster. She served at Cathedral High School, Springfield on the attendance staff and in the bookstore. She was a member of the retirement community at St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie, Holyoke.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by several nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law Joyce MacDonald of O’Fallon, Illinois. She was predeceased by her siblings Barbara, Robert, Wallace and Patricia.
The wake will take place at Mont Marie, 36 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Mont Marie Chapel on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mont Marie Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.
Sister Joseph Anna Hine, (Dorothy), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation Center on Holyoke, Mass. on October 13, 2015. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Shea) Hine.
Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Worcester. She was graduated from St. Peter High School, Worcester and earned a A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a M.A. degree from Assumption College, Worcester. She also studied at University of Western Washington, Smith College and Westfield State College.
Sister taught in the schools of the Diocese of Springfield at Our Lady of Hope and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Springfield; Holy Trinity, Greenfield; St. Joseph, North Adams and Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke; in the Diocese of Providence at Sacred Heart, Pawtucket and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Paul, Blackstone, St. Louis, Webster and St Peter-Marian, Worcester. She served as librarian at St. Stephen School and St. Peter-Marian, Worcester. Sister retired to Our Lady of the Angels Convent, Worcester. She became a member of St. Joseph Retirement Community, Mont Marie in 2004.
In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by several nieces and nephews. Sister is predeceased by her siblings Joseph,
John, Edward, Shirley and Anne.
The wake will take place at St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Friday October 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a Prayer Service at 9:30 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of St. Joseph Administrative Offices, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Sister Marie Gill Reilley (James Daniel), 78, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died on June 13, 2015 in the Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Holyoke. Born in Providence, R.I. she was the daughter of Walter F. and Margaret A. (Fenton) Reilley.
In 1955 Sister Gill entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Providence. She graduated from St. Xavier Academy, Providence and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.
An educator in the Springfield diocesan schools throughout her life, Sister Gill taught at Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke and Annunciation, Florence. She spent many years at St. Mary’s School, Westfield, beginning in 1981 as a teacher in the elementary school, and serving as school secretary from 1988-2010.
In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her sister, E. Anne Reilley of Westfield.
The wake will take place at Mont Marie, Holyoke on Tuesday, June 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Mont Marie Chapel on Tuesday, June 16 at 4:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Mont Marie Cemetery, Springfield, Mass. 01104.
Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.
Sister Catherine Leary (Kathleen James), 71, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mercy Hospital, Springfield on May 10, 2015. Born in Springfield, Mass. she was the daughter of James F. and Catherine (Germain) Leary.
Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Name Parish, Springfield in 1961. She graduated from Cathedral High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee. She received a Master’s degree in applied science from American International College, Springfield and a Master’s degree in religious education from Boston College.
Sister Catherine’s early ministries included teaching at Our Lady of Hope School and Cathedral High School, both in Springfield. She then became Director of Religious Education at Holy Name Parish, Springfield and subsequently Consultant in Religious Education for the Diocese of Springfield. She served the Sisters of St. Joseph as a member of their Leadership Team from 1999-2005 and was National Secretary of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) from 2004-05. Sister Catherine was Pastoral Minister for a total of 22 years, eight of them at Annunciation Parish, Florence and the remainder at Holy Name Parish, Springfield, a position in which she continued until the end of her life. In addition to engaging in her formal ministries, Sister Catherine earned the title of Master Weaver from the Hill Institute, Florence, MA and received numerous awards for her work.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her siblings Mary Ann Boon of Gloucester Pt., VA; Noreen Gallagher Smith of Austin, TX; James F. Leary of Washington, DC; Denise Jones of Milwaukee, WI; Martin F. Leary of Vine Grove, KY; Frances Kollenz of Mulhauser, Germany; Therese Thornock of Phoenix, AZ; and Clare Decosmo of Ft. Myers, FL. She was predeceased by her parents and by her brother John E. Leary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Arrangements entrusted to the Sampson Family Chapels.
Sister Roberta Maria Campbell (Margaret), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Holyoke, MA on May 9, 2015. A native of Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of Edward and Roberta (Wood) Campbell.
Sister Roberta entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket, RI in 1945. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.
Sister Roberta ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at Sacred Heart School, Holyoke, St. Charles and St. Mary Schools, Pittsfield, and St. Matthew School, Springfield; in the Diocese of Worcester as a teacher at St. Paul School, Blackstone and St. Louis School, Webster; in the Diocese of Providence, RI at St. Francis Day Center, Manville and as a pastoral minister at Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket.
In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her cousins, Peggy Ann Bourassa of Woonsocket, RI and Cathy Chenot of Burrillville, RI and by her close friend, Susan McNamee of Tolland, CT.
Sister Margaret James McGrath, (Marguerite), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 68th year, died in Holyoke, Mass. on September 25, 2011. A native of Easthampton, Mass., she was the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Bradley) McGrath.
Sister entered the Sisters of St Joseph from Immaculate Conception Parish, Easthampton. She was graduated from St. Michael High School, Northampton. She earned a B.S. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.S. degree from Fordham University, New York, NY and an Ed.D. from Nova University.
Sister was a faculty member in the Biology Department at The College of Our Lady of the Elms for her entire teaching career. For many years she was the Director of the Medical Technology Program. She served her many students with great attention over the years. She served on many College committees and was the faithful faculty advisor to the Alumni Association. Sister was retired and lived at St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie, Holyoke.
Sister Richard Maria Allen (Beatrice M. Allen), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 70 years, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. on August 27, 2011. A native of Webster, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Ethan and Carolyn (Mogee) Allen. Sister Richard Maria received her early education at St. Louis School, Webster and was graduated from St. Louis High School in 1940. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Louis Parish, Webster in 1941. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.
Sister ministered in the Springfield Diocese in Immaculate Conception School, Easthampton, St. Matthew, Indian Orchard and St. Joseph, Pittsfield. In the Worcester Diocese she taught in Sacred Heart School, Gardner and for many years in St. Mary’s, Southbridge. In 1980 she became a Nurse’s Aide and worked in Liberty Nursing Home and Providence Home in Southbridge. She retired in Southbridge in 1994.