Sister Mary Behan

Sister Mary Behan, (Margaret Therese), (6/19/1934), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. on April 9, 2024. Born in Newport, RI, she was the daughter of George P. and Gwendolyn M. (Pike) Behan.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish, Newport, RI in 1951. She graduated from St. Catherine Academy, Newport. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, a M.A. in English from Villanova University, and an M.R.E degree in Religious Education from Seattle University.

Sister worked in education for 14 years in the Dioceses of Springfield, Worcester, and Providence. She opened the Adult Religious Education Department at the Diocese of Springfield Religious Education Office and was a staff member at the Spirituality Center in Bloomfield, CT. She served as Family Life Minister in St. Jude Parish, Lincoln, RI and pastoral minister at St. Teresa of Avila and St. Barnabas parishes, also in RI. For the last 20 years of her ministry, she directed retreats at Mercy Center, Madison, RI, Our Lady of Peace, Narragansett, RI as well as Genesis Spiritual Life Center, Westfield and Miramar Retreat Center in Mass. She also served the Congregation as a member of the Leadership Team and a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Federation Formation Team.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Mary leaves her sister, Julianne Kelly and her husband, James and two nieces and a nephew and two grandnieces and three grandnephews. Sister was predeceased by her parents, George P., and Gwendolyn M.(Pike) Behan and her brother, Reverend George P. Behan.

All services for Sr. Mary will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Monday, April 22, 2024. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Marilyn Logan

Sr. Marilyn Logan (Mary Arthur), (8/17/1928) beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, MA on April 7, 2024. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Arthur J. and Mary H. (Cashman) Logan.

Sister Marilyn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Cross Parish, Springfield in 1952. She graduated from Classical High School, Springfield. She earned a B.S. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.S. in biology from the University of Detroit.

She served at both Cathedral and Holyoke Catholic High Schools and was principal of Our Lady of Hope School, Springfield. She went on to teach at Western New England College, Springfield, and then Elms College, Chicopee, Mass. Sister also served as Case Manager and Supervisor for Greater Springfield Senior Services, a Pastoral Minister at Holy Cross parish in Springfield, and a Certified Home Health Aide for the Pioneer Valley Visiting Nurses Association. She received her certificate as a Residence Service Coordinator from the MASS Association of Resident Service Coordinators (MARSH) while serving in that role at Emerson House, Longmeadow, MA.

In addition to Sr. Marilyn’s formal ministries, she did much volunteer service. Among her favorites were her twelve years as a reader for Radio Reading for the Blind program, and her many services at Mont Marie. There she served as a substitute driver, companion to sisters in the Mont Marie Health Care Center and “D” Building, her participation in Liturgies as a reader and minister of the Eucharist to the sick. In her early years she volunteered at Heart House Shelter for Battered Women, the Jefferson Street Shelter for Women and Children, and the Open Pantry Soup Kitchen.

In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by her brother Robert Logan and his wife Ann and sister-in-law, Polly Logan and seventeen nieces and nephews. Sister was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Mary Logan and her brother, Dr. Arthur Logan.
All services for Sr. Marilyn will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA on Friday, April 12, 2024. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Irene Comeau

Sister Irene Comeau (Sr. Paul Joseph), (11/22/29), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on February 13, 2024 at Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of Rodolphe and Claire (Lavallee) Comeau.

Sister Irene entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, Mass., from Christ the King Parish, West Warwick, RI in 1947. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. Sister graduated from St. Mary Academy in Bay View, RI. She earned a B.A. degree from Regis College, Weston, MA and an M.A. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT.

Sister taught in the of the Diocese of Fall River at St. Jean Baptiste School, Blessed Sacrament School, St. Roch School, St. Matthew School, all in Fall River; St. Michael, Ocean Grove; St. Joseph, New Bedford; and St. Michael, Swansea. Sister also taught at St. Joseph Montessori and Dominican Academy in Fall River. She ministered at Newport County Catholic School, Middletown, R.I. and at St. Joseph School, Conway, Arkansas. Sister volunteered at Mont Marie Child Care Center in Holyoke and at Gray House in Springfield. She retired at St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in Holyoke before moving to Framingham.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her sister-in-law Joan Comeau and a nephew, Roland Comeau, several cousins, and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Rodolphe and Claire Comeau, and a niece, Denise Marie Comeau.

All services for Sr. Irene will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA, Tuesday, February 20, 2024. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Mary Lou Brennan

Sister Mary Louise Brennan (Francis Elizabeth), (11/19/1938), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass., on January 1, 2024.  Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Francis John and Columbia E. (Fettucia) Brennan.

Sister Mary Lou entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Uxbridge, Mass., in 1956. She was graduated from St. Mary High School, Milford. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

She taught at Sacred Heart, Pawtucket, Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke, and Holy Cross, Springfield. For many years she volunteered at the Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults (Jericho), teaching in the Religious Education Program where she was awarded a Humanitarian Award due to her interactions with children and adults.  She was a primary remedial reading and math teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle, West Springfield for 20 years.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she leaves Michael Stoll and several other cousins. Sr. was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Columbia Brennan, a brother John, and several cousins.

All services for Sr. Mary Lou will take place at St Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine Street, West Springfield, MA on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.  Sr. will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial.  The burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Margaret McNaughton

Sister Margaret McNaughton, (Dorothy James), (3/14/1931), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at the Marian Center, in Holyoke, Mass., on December 26, 2023.   A native of Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Dorothy (Scully) McNaughton.

Sister Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Charles Parish, Pittsfield, Mass., in 1949. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield and earned a A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister taught at Annunciation School, Florence; Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke; St. Mary’s High School, Milford; and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She ministered at St. Michael’s Cathedral for more than 30 years, serving as Principal of St. Michael’s Grammar School, Director of  Religious Education, housekeeper at the bishop’s residence, and touching thousands of people as a Pastoral Minister for St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Margaret leaves her niece Lisa May of Garland, Texas, and a nephew, Joseph McNamara of Dallas, Texas.  Sister was predeceased by her twin sister, Patricia McNamara and a nephew, Keith McNamara and several cousins.

All services for Sr. Margaret will take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Church, 360 State Street, Springfield.  She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M.  The burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Claire Belforti

Sister Claire Belforti (Grace Edward), (2/10/1929), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass., on November 24, 2023.  A native of Milford, Mass., she was the daughter of Edward and Grace (Byrnes) Belforti.

Sister Claire entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Hopedale, Mass., in 1950. She graduated from St. Mary Central Catholic High School, Milford. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.Ed. from Boston College.

Sister served as an elementary teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle, West Springfield; St. Peter’s, Worcester; St. Mary’s, Southbridge; and Milford Catholic Elementary. She taught secondary education at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Worcester; Cathedral, Springfield, St. Mary/Marianhill, Southbridge, and St. Mary’s, Milford. She was principal at St. Mary’s and Milford Catholic Elementary Schools, Milford. She served at La Salette Conference Center, Enfield, New Hampshire and as Parish Minister at Sacred Heart Parish, Milford. She also served her Congregation as an administrator at Mont Marie, Holyoke.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Claire leaves her sister, Frances Giacomuzzi and several nieces and nephews.  Sister was predeceased by her sisters, Sister Grace Belforti,SSJ, Marie Gaffney and Ann Lopes.

All services for Sr. Claire will take place in Sacred Heart Church, 5 E. Main Street, Milford, MA on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Milford, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Ann Gibeault

Sister Ann Gibeault (Dorothy Albert), (9/9/1935), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass., on November 11, 2023. Born in Pawtucket, RI she was the daughter of Alfred J. and Sophie (Pytel) Gibeault.

Sister Ann entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Trinity Parish, Central Falls, RI in 1953. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.Ed. in psychology from (then) Westfield State College.

Sister taught in a number of schools in the Springfield, Worcester and Providence Dioceses: St. Mary’s, Southbridge, St. Mary’s, Northampton, Blessed Sacrament, Greenfield, St. Joseph’s, North Brookfield, Sacred Heart, Pawtucket, Holy Trinity, Central Falls, Our Lady of Consolation, Pawtucket, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Academy, Central Falls. She served as Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Joseph Parish, North Brookfield and Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket, RI.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Ann leaves an aunt, Mary Davis of North Attleboro, MA.  She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Sophie Gibeault.

All services for Sr. Ann will take place in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA on Thursday, November 16, 2023.  She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M.  Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

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Sister Estelle Santarpia

Sister Estelle Santarpia (St. Pierre), (8/18/1931), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on October 23, 2023 at Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. Born in Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of Francisco and Mary (Brazoa) Santarpia.

Sister Estelle entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy, in Fall River, Mass. from St. Elizabeth Parish, Fall River in 1946 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the congregations merged in 1974. Sister graduated from St. Therese Novitiate High School, Fall River. She earned a B.A. degree from Salve Regina College, Newport, RI and an M.A. from Providence College, Providence, RI.

Sister taught in the of the Diocese of Fall River at St. Jean Baptiste and Blessed Sacrament Schools, Fall River; St. Michael’s, Ocean Grove; and St. Louis School, Swansea. She also served at St. Joseph School, Vinton, LA. Sister was mistress of novices before becoming Provincial in 1974 and seeing her Congregation through the 1974 merger with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield. She worked in parish ministry at Sacred Heart Parish, Milford and retreat ministry at the LaSalette Conference Center, Enfield, NH. She also served as a computer instructor for the Milford Council on Aging.

Sister Estelle was predeceased by her siblings, Grace Costa, Ann Mello, Frank Santarpia, George Santarpia, Susan Parao, Louise Gragnani, Alice Soares, Paul Santarpia and Sr. Dorothy Santarpia, SSJ. In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

All services for Sr. Estelle will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Northampton St. Holyoke, MA. She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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.

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Sister Mildred Marengo

Sister Mildred Marengo (Maria Peter), (12/30/1928), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on September 19, 2023. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Alexander and Helen (Murphy) Marengo.

Sister Mildred entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Holyoke, in 1946. After graduating from Holy Rosary high school, she earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee; an M.S. degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester; and furthered her education at the University of Notre Dame.

Sister served as an educator for 33 years in the Springfield and Worcester dioceses, including 21 years as a teacher and Associate Principal at Cathedral High School, Springfield. She was proud to be the first woman appointed to serve in campus ministry at the Newman Center at UMass Amherst. She served the Congregation as Vocation Education Coordinator and as a grant writer and fundraiser for both Mont Marie Health Care and Child Care Centers, as well as Weston Rehab Center.

Sister was a lifelong sports fan, with a special fondness for Notre Dame football. She loved people and actively supported human rights. She was equally known for her sharp wit, candor, and faith that “all will be well.”

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister is survived by her many loving and supportive nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Helen Walsh, Lillian Foley, William Marengo, Mary Marengo and Claire Marengo.

All services for Sr. Mildred will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, Mass., on Monday, September 25, 2023. Sister will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Judith Kappenman

Sister Judith Kappenman (Kathleen Frederick), (8/7/1935), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass., on July 1, 2023. Born in Ethan, SD she was the daughter of Frederick W. and Kathleen E. (Donahue) Kappenman.

Sister Judith entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, West Springfield in 1953. She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.Ed. in education from (then) Worcester State College and a C.A.G.S. from Assumption College, Worcester.

She taught at Sacred Heart, Holyoke, Immaculate Conception, Easthampton, St. Patrick’s, Chicopee Falls, St. Peter’s and St. Peter-Marian High School, Worcester, and Cathedral High, Springfield. She was a member of St. Michael’s Cathedral Choir and the Springfield Symphony Chorus. Sister served as Executive Director of the Irish Cultural Center at Elms College from 2003-2012 and worked with The Republican newspaper in co-editing a book on Irish immigration to the area. She authored To Dakota and Back: The Story of an Orphan Train Rider, a book about the life of her grandfather, John Donohue who was born in South Boston and was sent to South Dakota aboard an orphan train.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister is survived by her sister, Sharon Balderelli and a brother, Patrick Kappenman of Clinton, Mass. She is predeceased by her siblings, Thomas Kappenman, Lois Vetro, James Kappenman, and Terrence Kappenman. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Sr. Judith donated her body for research. A Memorial Mass for Sr. Judith will take place at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield, MA on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Rita McCauley

Sister Rita McCauley (Rose Peter), (1/24/1929), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center on June 29, 2023. She was born in Pittsfield, Mass. She was the daughter of James P. and Johanna (Sitzman) McCauley.

Sister Rita entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Pittsfield in 1949. She was graduated from St. Joseph Central High School, Pittsfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

She taught in schools of the Springfield and Worcester Dioceses, including Blessed Sacrament School in Holyoke and St. Ann School, Worcester. For several years she served on the staff of Mont Marie Infirmary before becoming a pastoral minister at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke and St. Charles Parish in Pittsfield. She then returned to Mont Marie where she served as pastoral minister. She retired in 2002.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by a sister, Judith McCauley Anderson, and brother, Dennis McCauley. Sisters also leaves several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister Rita is predeceased by a sister, Mary McHugh, and brothers, James McCauley, Edward McCauley, William McCauley, Charles McCauley and Patrick McCauley.

All services for Sr. Rita will take place Friday, July 7, 2023, in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. She will be waked from 9:00 AM at Blessed Sacrament Church with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00AM. The burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Catherine Zajac

Sister Catherine Zajac, (11/15/1950), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass. on June 19, 2023. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Jane (Dibble) Zajac, Jr.

Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Jerome Parish, Holyoke in 1969. She was graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke. She earned an Associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College and a B.S. in elementary education from (then) North Adams State College. She received a Home Health Aide Certificate from Ander­Care, Inc., Springfield.

She was an elementary teacher at St. Agnes, Dalton and St. Mary’s, Westfield. She was a Home Health Aide for Ander-Care, Inc. and the Visiting Nurses Association of Longmeadow, as well as the Hospice of Pioneer Valley. She was also a Lifeline Assistant for the Sisters of Providence Healthcare System. She served the Sisters of St. Joseph as an appointment scheduler and driver, and as a switchboard operator.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Catherine is survived by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth Zajac, MSgt (ret) Karin Zajac, LtCol(ret) Thomas (Catalina) Zajac and Ann Torres, with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She also leaves an aunt, Elizabeth St. Laurent of Chicopee. In addition to her parents, Sister was predeceased by a sister, Carol Weymouth.

All services for Sr. Catherine will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, Mass. on Friday, June 23, 2023. She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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.

 

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Sister Maureen Martin

Sister Maureen Martin (Thomas Mary), (4/10/34), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. April 8, 2023.  Born in Westfield, MA she was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (O’Connor) Martin.

Sister Maureen Martin (Sr. Thomas Mary) entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Westfield in 1952.  She attended St. Mary Elementary School and graduated from St. Mary High School, Westfield.  She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and a M.A. in human relations and community affairs from American International College, Springfield.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield at St. Jerome School, Holyoke; and in Springfield at Holy Name School Springfield. She was Principal at Holy Family School and Holy Cross School in Springfield. She also served as Formation Director for the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Sister Maureen later served as Director of Volunteers at Jessie’s House, Northampton.  She also ministered in Springfield at the Shelter and at Open Pantry/Loaves and Fishes.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by a cousin, John O’Connor (Terry) of California, her nieces, Peggy Carbonneau (Paul), Mayre Miller (Thomas Egan), Kerri Martin; her nephews, Thomas Miller (Susan), Kevin Miller and Paul Miller; Matthew Martin (Daniele), Sean Martin (Colleen), and Kyle Martin (Ada) and several grandnieces, grandnephews and great grandnieces and grandnephews as well as her sister-in-in-law, Renee Martin.  Sister Maureen was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Mary Martin, her sister, Kathleen Miller (Thomas), and brothers, John Martin and James Martin (Aurelia) and a niece, Linda Atkins.

All services for Sr. Maureen will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, Mass. on Monday, April 17, 2023. She will be waked from 9 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M.  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 Arlene Kalin

Sister Arlene Kalin (Walter Madeline), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. on February 22, 2023. Born in Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of Walter Edward and Madeline Gertrude (Tully) Kalin.

Sister Arlene entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Edward Parish, Pawtucket in 1956. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. in Religious Education from Providence College.

She served as an elementary school teacher at schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, including St. Peter’s, Worcester and St. Lucy’s Middletown, RI. She was director of religious education at St. Ann Parish, Cranston and St. William’s, Warwick where she subsequently served as pastoral minister. She was director of operations at Warwick House of Hope, and worked at The DaVinci Center for Community Progress and Kent House in Warwick.

In addition to her Sisters in community Sister Arlene leaves a cousin, Margaret Moynihan of West Hartford, CT. She was predeceased by her parents and other relatives. All services for Sr. Arlene will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, Mass., Monday, February 27, 2023. She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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 Catherine Hayes

Sister Catherine Hayes (Catherine Edmund), (6/27/1926), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on Saturday, February 4, 2023.  Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Edmond and Catherine (Fitzgerald) Hayes.

Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Name Parish, Springfield in 1948. She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a M.Ed. in business education from Boston University.

Sister taught business courses at Cathedral High from 1950-1993.  She also served as Department Chair. Upon her retirement from Cathedral High School, she assisted in the Alumnae Library at College of Our Lady of the Elms until 2000. In 2006 Sister was honored by Cathedral High School for her valuable service for over 40 years. She retired to St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in 2008.

Sister is predeceased by her sister Madeline Hayes and Anna Marie Ferris (Donald).  In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her twin sister, Mary.

All services for Sr. Catherine will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, Mass., on Friday, February 10, 2023.  She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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 Claudette Samson

Sister Claudette Samson (Lucille Marie), (9/9/1937), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on February 4, 2023 at Heritage North Nursing Facility in Agawam, Mass.  Born in New Bedford, Mass., she was the daughter of Joseph and Ida (Allaire) Samson.

Sister Claudette entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, Mass., from St. Theresa Parish, New Bedford in 1956 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. She attended high school with the Gray Nuns in Montreal, Canada.

She served at Blessed Sacrament, St. Jean Baptist, and St. Matthew Convents in Fall River, and St. Joseph Convent, New Bedford. She was community driver for the Blessed Sacrament Convent, Fall River and did domestic work at the Oblate Retreat House, Hudson, N.H. Later she served the Congregation as appointment driver.

Sister was predeceased by her brothers, Maurice (Cecile), Lionel, Alfred (Margaret), and Edward Samson; her sisters, Cecile Douglas (Richard), Dora Sherman (Kenneth), Rita Meredios  (John), Robia Marshall (William), Flora Bridges (George). In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by her sister-in-law Cecile Samson and several nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Claudette will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, Mass., on Thursday, February 9, 2023.  She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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 Patricia Johnson

Sister Patricia Johnson (David Robert), (12/15/1935), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass., on January 28, 2023. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Howard and Ethel (Waddington) Johnson.

Sister Patricia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Holyoke in 1954. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. from (then) Worcester State College.

She taught in the Worcester Diocese at Sacred Heart Academy and Worcester Central Catholic Middle School, and St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School, all in Worcester. She also taught at St. Francis of Assisi School in Hillsgrove, RI. She served as secretary to the president of the Sisters of St. Joseph and as a secretary in the Worcester Chancery Office. After her work in the Mont Marie Communications office, she was secretary and office manager for the Bureau of Exceptional Children and Adults in Holyoke.

Sister was predeceased by her brothers, Howard Johnson and John Johnson (Barbara), and a sister, Marilyn Garvey-Morgan (Joseph). In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister is survived by her brother Donald (Rosemary), of Holyoke, MA and David in Albany, New York as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great nieces and great nephews.

All services for Sr. Patricia will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, MA on February 1, 2023. She will be waked from 9AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph. 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA. 01104.

 

Sister Angela Deady

Sister Angela Deady (Robert Christopher), (10/2/1946), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died at Mary’s Meadow, Holyoke, Mass., on December 30, 2022.  A native of Chicopee, Mass., she was the daughter of Robert and Bessie (Lolos) Deady.

Sister Angela entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Patrick Parish, Chicopee, Mass., in 1964. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned a B.A. degree in English from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. in English from Assumption College, Worcester.

Sister taught at Holy Trinity, Greenfield, St. Joseph High School, North Adams, Holyoke Catholic High School, and St. Joseph School, Leicester. Sister served as pastoral minister at All Saints Parish in Ware from 1988 to 2017.  Sister then served as Vice President of the Congregation from June 2017 through June 2022.

Sister Angela was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Bessie.  In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister is survived by her brothers, Robert, Christopher (Angela’s twin), Michael, Joseph, Barry Roberts and her sister, Catherine Deady. She also leaves several generations of loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and a grandnephew.

Services for Sr. Angela will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2023.  The burial will take place at Mont Marie Cemetery, Lower Westfield Road in Holyoke, at 9:30 AM.  A Service of Remembrance will be held at 10AM at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, prior to the Memorial Mass which will take place at 10:30 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Edith McAlice

Sister Edith McAlice (Marian Leo), (12/2/1935), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass., on November 24, 2022.  A native of Pawtucket, RI she was the daughter of Leo F. and Edith M. (Nichols) McAlice.

Sister Edith entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket in 1953. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.S., L.S. (Library Science) from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

Sister taught at St. Charles School, Pittsfield and was Librarian at Elms College for twenty years. She was Pastoral Minister at St. Patrick Parish, Chicopee Falls, for 21 years. She was honored by the Chicopee St. Patrick Parade Committee as the Marshall of the 2003 Chicopee contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick Parade. She also served two terms on the Executive Board of the Sisters of St. Joseph and later worked as a volunteer in the Development Office.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. leaves two brothers, Leo McAlice of Walpole, Mass. and Arthur McAlice of Manteca, California.  She was predeceased by her brothers, Charles,  Brother Richard FSC, Henry, her sisters, Ruth and Frances; and several nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Edith will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke Mass.  on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.  She will be waked from 9:30 AM with a prayer service at 10:00 AM.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 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 Frances Barry

Sister Frances Barry (Philip John), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass., on October 28, 2022. A native of Woonsocket, R.I., she was the daughter of Ovide and Bertha (Brissette) Barry.

Sister Frances entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Louis Parish, Webster, Mass., in 1946.  She graduated from St. Louis High School, Webster and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from St. Joseph College, Hartford, Conn.  She was a Registered Social Worker.

Sister taught in the Springfield Diocese at Our Lady of Hope School Springfield, St. Charles and St. Mark Schools, Pittsfield; at St. Joseph School, Newport in the Providence Diocese.  She served in the Worcester Diocese at St. Paul Cathedral as pastoral minister and at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Worcester in outreach to the elderly as well as at Dodge Park Rest Home, Worcester.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her sister, Barbara Cattel and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Sister was predeceased by her brothers Donald and John, her brothers and sisters–in–law.

All services for Sr. Frances will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.  She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:30 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at St. Joseph Chapel, Mont Marie, Holyoke, MA at 10:00 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 Ann Lynch

Sister Ann Lynch (Alice Edmond), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died in Baystate Medical Center on October 11, 2022. Born in Springfield, Mass. she was the daughter of Edmond Joseph and Alice Gertrude (McDonnell) Lynch.

Sister Ann entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, West Springfield, Mass. in 1956. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Springfield and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee. She earned an M.A. from Boston College and an M.A. in journalism from Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

She taught in schools in the Springfield Diocese including Holy Family and Cathedral High School. She was director of public relations for the Sisters of St. Joseph, editor of the Congregation newspaper Mission, served as coordinator of the Office of Peace and Justice and worked on the S.E.E.D. Committee. Sister served as co-coordinator of the Congregation’s Ecology Committee.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister, Alice Lynch, a nephew Joseph Lynch and his family as well as a sister-in-law, Sandra. Sister was predeceased by brother Edmond.

Burial services for Sr. Ann will take place Friday morning at 9:00 AM, October 14, at Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, Mass. A Memorial Mass will follow at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, Mass. at 10:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Patricia James Sweeney

 

Sister Patricia James Sweeney (Ellen), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Bethany Health Care Center, Framingham, Mass. on September 1, 2022.  A native of Springfield, MA she was the daughter of James and Mary (Walsh) Sweeney.

Sister Patricia James entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish, Springfield in 1942. Her early education was at Holy Family Elementary School and she was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. Sister earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.A. from Boston College and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as teacher at Sacred Heart, Holyoke, St. Mary’s, Northampton, St. Mary’s, Westfield, and St. Joseph’s, Pittsfield. She was principal at St. Joseph’s, North Adams and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She served as teacher and as principal at St. Peter, and later St. Peter-Marian High School in the Diocese of Worcester. She was very active in the National Catholic Education Association serving as Secretary and later as President of the Executive Committee of Secondary School Department. As President of NCEA in 1987 she was chosen to address the late Pope St. John Paul II in New Orleans, LA on behalf of the Catholic Secondary School Teachers. She also conducted workshops for Administrators in the United States and Canada as well as serving as adjunct faculty member at the College of Our Lady of the Elms and University of Dayton in Ohio. From 1993-2005 she served as Administrator/Director of Congregational Services at Mont Marie.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by several nephews and nieces.  She was predeceased by her siblings, Lillian Sweeney Lynch, Katherine Sweeney Tourtelotte, William Sweeney, John Sweeney and Thomas Sweeney.

All services for Sr. Patricia James will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church, Northampton Street, Holyoke on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.  She will be waked from 9:15 A.M with a prayer service at 9:45 A.M.  The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 A.M.  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 Jean Elizabeth Scanlan

Sister Jean Elizabeth Scanlan, 92, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died on July 19, 2022 at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham. She was born in Weymouth, Mass.; she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Scanlan.

Sister Jean Elizabeth entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland, VT from Sacred Heart Parish, Weymouth, MA in 1949 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the Congregations merged in 2001. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Weymouth.  She earned a B.S. degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider, Rutland, VT and a M.A. from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Burlington at St. Peter School and Christ the King School, Rutland; St. Francis de Sales School, Bennington; and St. Charles School, Bellows Falls. She also served on the faculty of St. Joseph College, Rutland.

Sr. Jean Elizabeth was predeceased by her siblings Mary Nickerson, Sr. Marion Denise Scanlan, SSJ, Barbara DeCosta, Robert Scanlan, Paul Scanlan and David Scanlan.

Services for Sr. Jean Elizabeth will take place on Friday, July 22, 2022 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. She will be waked at 9 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Lucille Bertrand

Sister Lucille Bertrand (Marie du Bon Pasteur), (9/14/32), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. on July 13, 2022.  A native of New Bedford, Mass., she was the daughter of Antoine and Emilia (Pelletier) Bertrand.

Sister Lucille entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Le Puy in Fall River from St. Joseph Parish, New Bedford in 1947 and became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield when the Congregations merged in 1974. Sister received her early education in the parochial schools of New Bedford.  She was graduated from Novitiate High School and Sacred Heart College, Fall River.

Among Sister’s teaching assignments were: St. Matthew, St Jean Baptiste, Blessed Sacrament and Montessori School of the Angels, all in Fall River; St. Michael, and St. Louis, Swansea; St. Theresa, New Bedford and Our Lady of the Angels, Worcester. She was also in the Senior Aide Program of Catholic Charities, Worcester and volunteered as a Parish Visitor in Southbridge.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by a sister, Pauline Clark of New Hartford, New York.  Sister was predeceased by her siblings, Roger Bertrand, Roland Bertrand, Raymond Bertrand, Antoine Bertrand, Rita St. Laurent, Robert Bertrand, Therese Gauthier, Louise Bertrand.  Sister leaves several nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Lucille will take place in Blessed Sacrament Church, Holyoke, Mass. on Saturday, July 16, 2022.  She will be waked from 9:00 AM with a prayer service at 9:15 AM.     The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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 Alice Kenney

Sister Alice Kenney, (Sr James Martin), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center on June 29, 2022. A native of Newport, RI, she was the daughter of Martin and Mary (McMahon) Kenney, sister of James and Edward Kenney.

Sister Alice entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish, Newport in 1947. She graduated from St. Catherine Academy in Newport, RI. She earned a BA degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a M.A.T. in German from Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. Sister pursued additional studies at Boston College; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY and Catholic University, Washington, D.C. She also spent a Sabbatical year at Notre Dame University.

Sister Alice taught at Cathedral Grammar School and Cathedral High School both in Springfield. While teaching at Cathedral High she also served as Chair of the Language Department. She served as Principal at Marianhill Central High School in Southbridge for two years before returning to Cathedral High School as Principal in 1973.  From 1980-1996 she served as Associate Director of Continuing Education at the College of Our Lady of the Elms.
From 1981 to 2007 she coordinated weekly SSJ ministry to the Springfield Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen.  When the Springfield Police Department established the Chaplains-on-Call program Sister was one of the first to serve and did so for six years.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Alice is survived by several generations of loving nieces and nephews, including Margaret Kenney, SSJ, Marie Thompson, James Kenney (Laurel), Martin Kenney (Joann), Alice Hamilton (Arthur), Larry Kenney, Edward Kenney and Ginger Kenney.

Services for Sr. Alice will take place on Thursday, July 7 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield. She will be waked at 9 AM with a prayer service at 9:45 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 AM. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Frances Gloster

Sister Frances Gloster (Joan Catherine), 80, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Chicopee on June 24, 2022. A native of Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Francis J. and Catherine F. (Ostrowski) Gloster.

Sister Frances entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Name Parish, Springfield in 1959. She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. in English from (then) Westfield State College.

Sister served as a teacher in many elementary schools in the Springfield Diocese as well as at Cathedral High School. She was principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Holyoke for four years. She ministered to the people of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Agawam, was Director of the Office of Bereavement for the Diocese of Springfield, and worked in the Pastoral Ministry Office of the Diocese. She served as the retirement assistant at the St. Joseph Residence and was an ESL Tutor at Gray House.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she leaves her sister Mary, a nephew and a niece.  Sr. Frances was predeceased by her parents, her sister Joan and her brother John.

All services for Sr. Frances will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke on June 29, 2022.  She will be waked from 9:00 am to 9:45 am with a prayer service at 9:15 am. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Mary Gallagher

Sister Mary Gallagher (Sr. James Irene), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on June 18, 2022. A native of West Springfield, she was the daughter of James F. and Irene J. (Carmel) Gallagher.

Sister Mary graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in 1951. She earned a BA from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.A. in Library Science from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Sister Mary taught for nine years in schools in the Springfield Diocese including St. Joseph High School in Pittsfield, and St. Jerome, Holy Rosary, and Holyoke Catholic High Schools in Holyoke. She was assistant librarian at Elms College, Chicopee and a research scholar at Emmanuel College. Sister served as an editor for Catholic Library World and was an Officer of the Catholic Library Association. Sister became the Elms College Archivist in 2000 and served for 12 years.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her step-father John E. Stamant, her brothers William Gallagher, John Stamant and Robert Stamant and her sister Jean Jurek. In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Mary leaves her brother Edward Gallagher, her sister Betty Harkins, her brother-in-law Fred Harkins and several generations of loving nieces and nephews.

Services for Sr. Mary will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, MA on Thursday, June 23, 2022. She will be waked from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM with a prayer service at 9:15 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to The College of Our Lady of the Elms, 291 Springfield St. Chicopee, MA 01013.

Sister Anna Marie Kane

Sister Anna Marie Kane (Sr. Christina James), 82, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on April 29, 2022. Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Walter J. and Elsa C. (Carlson) Kane.

Sister Anna Marie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Philip Parish, Grafton in 1959. She graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, an M.S. in Chemistry from Holy Cross College in Worcester, an M.S. in Chemistry Education from Simmons College in Boston and an M.A. in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha. She earned both a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion in Society and D.Lit. in Church Leadership from the Oxford Graduate School at the American Institute of Ministry in Dayton, TN.

Sister Anna taught in schools in Springfield, Milford, and Newport, RI. before serving as a chaplain and Chemistry Instructor at Holy Cross College. She spent nine years as Vicar of Religious and Director of the Office of Women in Worcester, and ten years in the Office of Ministerial Resources at Mont Marie. She also served as Director of Family Life Volunteers, a Ministry of the Little Sisters of the Assumption in Worcester and was Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator for Brookhaven Hospice in Framingham.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Anna leaves her brother James Kane and her dear friend Sr. Irene Mizula. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Bethany Health Care Center for the compassionate care given to Sr. Anna during these past few months.

Services for Sr. Anna Marie will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.  Sister will be waked from 9:00 to 9:45 am with a prayer service at 9:15. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Teresa Moran

Sister Teresa Moran (Sister Francis Anna), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on January 11, 2022. Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Michael and Sarah (McMahon) Moran.

Sister Teresa entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Stephen Parish in Worcester in 1944. She graduated from St. Stephen High School in Worcester and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at Cathedral Grammar School, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Springfield and as Principal at Sacred Heart School in Pittsfield. She served in the Diocese of Worcester teaching at St. Mary School in Milford and  in the Diocese of Providence as Principal at Sacred Heart School in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.  She was also a Pastoral Minister at St. Joseph Parish in Johnston, RI, and a Pastoral Minister at St. Theresa Parish in Pittsfield.

Sister Teresa was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary (Sr. Joseph Anne), and Rita (Sister Anna Patrice) and her brothers John. Joseph and Frances. She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters in community, her brother James, several generations of loving nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, including Sr. Margaret O’Neil. The Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister’s family and friends wish to express gratitude to the staff at Bethany Health Care Center for the compassionate care given to Sr. Teresa during these past few months.

Services for Sr. Teresa will be held on Thursday, January 13th at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke. Sister will be waked from 10:00 – 10:45 am with a prayer service at 10:15 am.. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Mary T. Quinn

Sister Mary T. Quinn, 73, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Springfield on November 14, 2021. Born in Cumberland, RI she was the daughter of David L. and Florence V. (Carr) Quinn.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1966 after graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Pawtucket. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, an M.A. in counseling and psychology from Assumption College in Worcester. She earned both a M.A. and Ph.D. in Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology.

Sr. Mary served as President of the Sisters of St. Joseph from 2005 – 2011. She also served as Director of Vocations, Coordinator of Initial Formation, and Vice President of the Congregation. She taught at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Springfield and at St. Joseph Central High School in Pittsfield. She also worked in Student Services at Elms College and as a therapist at the Berkshire Counseling Center. Sr. Mary worked at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department holding a variety of positions over the many years she served there.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents. In addition to her Sisters in community, Mary leaves to mourn her loss, three brothers and a sister; David and Ann Quinn, Stephen Quinn, Elizabeth and Marc Quinn-Lacroix, and Kevin and Marie Quinn .She also leaves several generations of loving nephews and a niece, as well as a host of grateful students, dear colleagues and special friends who will forever remember the warmth of Mary’s laughter.

All services for Sr. Mary will take place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at Sacred Heart Church, 387 Chestnut Street in Springfield. The Wake will be held from 9:15 to 10:45 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 in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Eileen Joseph Christopher

Sister Eileen Joseph Christopher (Beverly), 83, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on November 1, 2021. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Joseph J. and Josephine P. (Razsa) Christopher.

Sister Eileen Joseph graduated from St. Peter High School in Worcester. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1956 from Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Worcester. Sister earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.S.L. from the University of Rhode Island in Providence.

Sister Eileen taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Holy Trinity School in Greenfield, Annunciation School in Florence, St. Mary’s in Northampton and St. Patrick’s in Chicopee Falls; she taught in the Providence Diocese at Sacred Heart School in Pawtucket, RI and in the Worcester Diocese at Sacred Heart Academy and Worcester Central Catholic. Sister also served in the religious education program in Forester, MA and as a library media specialist at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia Christopher. In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Eileen Joseph leaves to mourn her passing, the dedicated staff and faithful caregivers at Bethany Health Care Center.

Services for Sr. Eileen Joseph will take place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke on November 8, 2021. A wake will be held from 9:00 am to 9:45 am with a prayer service at 9:15 am. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 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 Mary Lou Gillon

Sister Mary Lou Gillon (Sr.James Regina), 81, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on October 20, 2021. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of James A. and Lena M. (Bernache) Gillon.

Sister Mary Lou entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish in Holyoke in 1958. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke. Sister earned a B.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.A. in religious education from Boston College.

Sister Mary Lou taught at St. Mary’s High School in Westfield and at Holyoke Catholic High School in Holyoke. Sister served as Coordinator for Ministry to the Sick and Elderly at the Diocesan Office of Pastoral Ministry in Springfield. She also served as Pastoral Minister for the sick and homebound at St. Mary’s Parish in Haydenville and at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke. Sister also served as Director of Pastoral Care at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke.

Sister Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Charles Gillon. In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister leaves to mourn her loss her sister-in-law Dorothy Egan Gillon, her nephew James, and her niece Kathleen Haedicke. Sr. Mary Lou will be fondly remembered by her dear cousins Rev. James Gillon S.J and Francis Gillon as well as her many faithful friends and grateful students.

Services for Sr. Mary Lou will take place on October 28, 2021 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.  She will be waked from 9:00 am to 9:45 am with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Mary Rose Lyons

Sister Mary Rose Lyons (Sr. Raymond Maria), 91, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on April 1, 2021. Born in Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Howard and Anna (Jecker) Lyons.

Sister Mary graduated from St. Jerome High School in Holyoke and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Jerome Parish in 1948.  She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.A.T. in mathematics from Worcester State College.

Sister Mary taught in schools of the Springfield Diocese at: St. Mary in Pittsfield, Immaculate Conception in Easthampton, St. Mary in Northampton, St. Joseph in North Adams and Cathedral High School in Springfield. She taught in the Worcester Diocese at St. Ann in Worcester and St. Joseph in Leicester. Sister was a Eucharistic minister for more than 30 years and also worked for more than 25 years in the R.C.I.A. program at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke. She served on the staff of Mont Marie Health Care Center as a nurse’s aide, retiring in 2000.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Paul Labonte and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Edward, Howard and Helen.

Services for Sr. Mary will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Burial will be held at Mont Marie Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 9:30am at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Jean Marie Lyonnais

Sister Jean Marie Lyonnais (Lucille), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died at Holyoke Medical Center on January 27, 2021.Born in New Bedford, Mass., she was the daughter of Raoul and Marie Jeanne (Denault) Lyonnais.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River from Sacred Heart Parish in Fairhaven in 1951 and became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield when the Congregations merged in 1974. She graduated from Novitiate High School and attended Sacred Heart College in Fall River, Mass.

Sister taught for more than 40 years in the Fall River Diocese including at St. Michael School, Ocean Grove, St. Jean the Baptist School and Blessed Sacrament School in Fall River. She also taught at St. Louis de France School in Swansea. Sister served for 28 years at St. Joseph and St. Mary Schools in New Bedford.  She also served as an aide at St. James/St. John School for 9 years until her retirement in 2005. Upon retirement Sister began her faithful ministry as a volunteer at All Saints Catholic School in New Bedford.

Sister Jean Marie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Rita Chapdelaine and Pauline Cote and her brother Raoul Lyonnaise. In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister leaves to cherish her memory her siblings: Lorraine Lubertowicz, Jeannette Goyette, Claire Richardson, Doris Castonguay, Leo Lyonnaise, and several generations of loving nieces and nephews and many dear students and friends.

Services for Sr. Jean Marie will be held on February 1, 2021. Burial will be at 9:00 a.m.at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke. A Memorial Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, with Covid protocols observed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Janice Molloy

Sister Janice Molloy (Sr. Elizabeth James), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield on January 24, 2021 A native of Auburn, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Gertrude (Daley) Molloy.

Sister Janice entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish in Auburn in 1943. She graduated from St. Peter’s High School in Worcester and earned a B.A. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass.

Sister taught at St. Thomas the Apostle and Immaculate Conception Schools in West Springfield and Holy Name School in Springfield. The majority of Sr. Janice’s teaching career, was at Cathedral High School in Springfield where she served as biology teacher in the Science Department for forty years. Sister is a 2013 recipient of the St. Joseph Award given by Cathedral High School for her outstanding commitment to CHS. Upon retirement Sister Janice resided at St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in Holyoke before moving to West Springfield.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Janice leaves to cherish her memory her dear friend Barbara Begley and generations of beloved nephews, nieces, cousins. Sister is preceded in death by her parents and siblings: her brothers John, Edmund, Donald, Robert and Paul and her sisters Mary Sullivan, Kathleen Molloy and Elizabeth Molloy SSJ (Sr. James Gertrude).

Services for Sr. Janice will be held January 27, 2021. Burial will be at 9:00 a.m.at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke. A Memorial Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, with Covid protocols observed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Eleanor Dooley

Sister Eleanor Dooley (Sr. Maria Assumpta), 92, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mary’s Meadow in Holyoke, Mass. on January 21, 2021. A native of Somerville, Mass., she was the daughter of Richard A. and Mary A. (O’Neill) Dooley.

Sister Eleanor entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Belmont, Mass. in 1950.  She graduated from St. Stephen High School in Worcester, Mass. and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.  Sister earned a M.A. from Assumption College in Worcester; a Ph.D. in French from the Sorbonne, Paris, France; a M.A.S. in Applied Theology from the University of San Francisco; and an M.A. in Theological Studies from Harvard University.

Sister Eleanor taught in the Springfield Diocese at Cathedral High School and St. Michael’s High School in Northampton then taught for 11 years at St. Mary’s Central Catholic High School in Milford Mass. She taught Latin, French, and Religious Studies at Elms College for more than 36 years. For many summers Sister taught theological French at Harvard Divinity School and taught the graduate seminar in Spirituality at the Jesuit University of San Francisco. Sister spent three years in spiritual ministry in India and was a visiting professor of World Religions at Fudan University in Shanghai. She was a member of her Community’s leadership team for eight years and taught Spiritualty and Deacon Formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

Sister is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Frank and Richard and her sister Mary Dooley SSJ. In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Eleanor leaves to cherish her memory several generations of loving nieces and nephews, many dear friends and scores of grateful students.

The Sisters of St. Joseph wish to express appreciation and gratitude to the Administration and Staff at Mary’s Meadow for the wonderful care given to Sister Eleanor.

Services for Sr. Eleanor will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Burial will be at 9:00 a.m.at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke. A Memorial Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke, with Covid protocols observed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Theresa Murtha

Sister Theresa Murtha, (Sr. Mary Catherine), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on January 9, 2021. A native of Pawtucket, RI she was the daughter of Mary Catherine Murtha.

Sister Theresa entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish in Pawtucket, RI in 1953. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Pawtucket. Sister earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.Ed. in business education from Boston University.

Sister Theresa taught at Cathedral High School in Springfield and St. Catherine Academy in Newport, RI. She also served as registrar at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee. Sister taught at the Business School in Providence and served as Adult Education coordinator for the Providence School Department in Providence, RI. She also worked at Geffroy Neurological, Providence, RI.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Theresa leaves many dear friends as well as the wonderful, caring staff at Bethany Health Care Center.

Services for Sr. Theresa will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 with burial at 9:00 a.m. at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke, MA. A Memorial Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Patricia Thomas O’Connor

Sister Patricia Thomas O’Connor, (Marie), 99, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center on December 25, 2020. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Murphy) O’Connor.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke in 1939.  She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield at St. Joseph School, North Adams; Holy Trinity School Greenfield; Holy Name School, Holy Family School and Our Lady of Hope School, Springfield and St. Joseph School and St. Mark School, Pittsfield, and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Peter School and St. Ann School, Worcester.  She was a member of the Communications Department of Mercy Hospital, Springfield for over twenty years.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Patricia Thomas is survived by her sister Nora McAndrew and several generations of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and a dear goddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Thomas.

Services for Sr. Patricia Thomas will follow Covid protocols with burial at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke and a memorial Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Mary Beatrice Gauthier

Sister Mary Beatrice, (Eda Gauthier), 102,  beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke on December 22, 2020. A native of Bennington, VT, she was the daughter of Alphonse and Anna (Marceau) Gauthier.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from Sacred Heart Parish in Bennington in 1933 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two Congregations merged in 2001.  She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Bennington and earned a B.S. degree from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY.

Sister ministered in the following schools: St. Peter, Christ the King and Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland, Vermont;  St. Charles, Bellows Falls; Sacred Heart and St. Francis de Sales in Bennington, Vermont.  Sister later served on the staff at Mt. St. Joseph Convent in Rutland and joined the retirement Community at Mt. St. Joseph Convent in 1990.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary Beatrice is survived by several generations of nieces, nephews and dear cousins.

Services for Sr. Mary Beatrice will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 with burial at 9:00 a.m. at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of St. Joseph Administrative Offices, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Mary Ellen Murphy

Sister Mary Ellen Murphy (Sr. Stephen Maria), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on August 1, 2020. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Mary (McKaig) Murphy.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke in 1943. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister ministered in the Springfield Diocese as a teacher at Our Lady of Hope, Holy Family, and Cathedral High Schools in Springfield, and St. Charles and St. Mark Schools in Pittsfield. Sister later served as librarian at St. Joseph’s, Pittsfield, Sacred Heart, Holyoke, and Our Lady of Hope in Springfield. She served in the Worcester Diocese as librarian at St. Mary School in Milford. She was on the Central Services staff of the College of Our Lady of the Elms for several years before her retirement in 1995.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary Ellen leaves to cherish her memory several generations of loving nieces and nephews, and her dear sister-in-law Ruth Murphy and brother-in-law Eugene Murphy. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her younger siblings: John, Edward, Stephen, James and Catherine.

A Burial Service for Sr. Mary Ellen will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2020     in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Eileen O’Neill

Sister Eileen O’Neill, (Sr. Maria Martin), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, MA on July 28, 2020. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Martin and Nora (Scanlon) O’Neill.

Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish in Holyoke in 1946. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Holyoke. She earned a A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and attended Westfield State College.

Sister taught in the Worcester Diocese at St. Stephen’s, Worcester; St. Joseph’s, Cherry Valley, and Marian Hill High School, Worcester. She also served at Sacred Heart in Pawtucket, RI and St. Joseph in Newport, RI. In addition she taught at St. Mary Morning Star in Pittsfield, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Springfield, and St. Mary’s in Westfield. Sister was a 2001 recipient of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools award for 50 years of Outstanding Service as a Catholic School Educator.

Sister Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Martin and her sister Marie O’Leary. In addition to her Sisters in community, she leaves to cherish her memory her brother John, her brother-in-law Edward O’Leary and several generations of loving nieces and nephews, including Eileen O’Leary Sullivan, Susan O’Leary Mulhern, Carol O’Leary Rigali, Michael O’Neill and Gregory O’Neill.

A Burial Service for Sr. Eileen will take place in Mont Marie Cemetery at 10:00AM on Friday, July 31, 2020. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Margaret Crowley

Sister Margaret Crowley (Nora Francis), 85, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on May 16, 2020. A native of Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Francis and Nora (Buckley) Crowley.

Sister Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish, Springfield in 1959. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield. Sister earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee and an M.A. in English from Westfield State College.

Sister began her teaching ministry at St. Mary’s in Southbridge before serving in many schools in the Springfield Diocese. She taught at Sacred Heart in Holyoke; St. Agnes in Dalton and St. Thomas the Apostle in West Springfield; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Hope, and Cathedral High School, all in Springfield; St. Matthew’s in Indian Orchard and Mount Carmel in Chicopee. Sister also served as a tutor at Holy Name in Chicopee.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Margaret leaves to cherish her memory her brothers Francis (Myrna) and Edmund, her sister Mary Ellen Colton (Fred), her sister-in-law Marjorie, several generations of loving nieces and nephews and her dear friend Connie Cawley SSJ. Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James and her nephew Edward.

A graveside service and private burial will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Springfield. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Marion Denise Scanlan

Sister Marion Denise Scanlan, 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham on May 16, 2020. Born in Quincy, Mass. she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (White) Scanlan.

Sister Marion Denise entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from Sacred Heart Parish in Weymouth, Mass. in 1946 and became a Sister of St. St. Joseph of Springfield when the two Congregations merged in 2001. Sister graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Weymouth and earned her B.S. degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, VT.

Sister served at St. Peter and Christ the King Schools in Rutland; St. Charles in Bellows Falls; St. Mary’s in Fairhaven; St. Michael’s in Brattleboro; St. Francis de Sales School in Bennington; and St. Stanislaus Kostka School in West Rutland. She also worked as a substitute teacher in Rutland Public Schools. Sister was secretary to the President of the Congregation for 9 years, and then managed the Congregation gift shop in Rutland. Sister was instrumental in establishing the SSJ associate program in Rutland.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Marian Denise is survived by her sisters, Mary, and Sister Jean Elizabeth SSJ and her sisters-in-law Lucille and Marion. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers James, Paul, David and Robert and her sister Barbara.

A private burial will be held at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke with a Memorial Mass to be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of St. Joseph Administrative Offices, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Imelda Maria


Sister Imelda Maria (Rita Fallon) 95, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on May 13, 2020. Born in Southbridge, Mass., she was the daughter of Thomas and Imelda (Lataille) Fallon.

Sister Imelda Maria entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Southbridge in 1941. She graduated from St. Mary High School in Southbridge and earned an A.B. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee.

Sister Imelda ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at Annunciation School, Florence, Blessed Sacrament School, Greenfield, and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She also served as media librarian at Cathedral High School and as media coordinator for the Diocesan Office of Religious Education. She taught in the Worcester Diocese at St. Ann School and St. Peter School, Worcester; Sacred Heart School, Gardner; St. Louis School, Webster and St. Mary School, Southbridge. Sister also served in several administrative positions at Mont Marie, Holyoke including coordinator of retired Sisters, assistant administrator and director of the Gift Shop.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she leaves to cherish her memory her faithful friend Sr. Patricia James and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Ruth and Teresa.

A private burial will be held on Friday at Mont Marie Cemetery with a Memorial Mass to be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Ann Butler

Sister Ann Butler (Sr. Catherine John) 90, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on May 8, 2020. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Kathleen (Hagerty) Butler.

Sister Ann entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield in 1946. She attended Our Lady of Hope School and graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at St. Patrick School in Chicopee and Cathedral High School in Springfield; in the Diocese of Providence Sister Ann taught at St. Joseph School in Newport, Sacred Heart School in Pawtucket, and Bishop Keough High School in Pawtucket. Sister was also involved in the Intercessory Prayer Ministry of Providence.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Ann is survived by her sisters, Kathleen Butler and Winifred Butler SSJ, her sister-in-law Monica Butler and several generations of loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Sally, John and Kevin.

A private burial will be held at Mont Marie Cemetery, with a Memorial Mass to be held at later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Dianne Lee Roncarati

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.

Sr. Mary of Fatima Goonan

Sr. Mary of Fatima Goonan, 88, (Cecelia), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Holyoke, Mass. on January 23, 2020. Born in Holyoke, she was the daughter of Peter and Sarah (Murphy) Goonan.

Sister Mary of Fatima entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Patrick Parish in Chicopee Falls in 1956. She graduated from Holy Name High School in Chicopee and earned a B.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Sacred Heart School, Holyoke; St. Mary School, Westfield; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Springfield and for twenty-five years at Cathedral High School, Springfield. She also served on the support staff of Mont Marie, Holyoke in several capacities.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Mary of Fatima is lovingly remembered by her sisters-in law Ann and Mary Ann and several generations of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Nora, Theresa, John and Michael.

All services for Sr. Mary of Fatima will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Sister will be waked at 10:00 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:15 a.m. The Funeral Mass will be held in the Mont Marie Chapel at 11:00 a.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.

Sister Sheila Ann Daly

Sister Sheila Ann Daly, 77, known in religion as Sr. St. Mark, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke on October 22, 2019. A native of Rutland, VT she was the daughter of John and Eleanor (Clossey) Daly.

Sister Sheila entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from Christ the King Parish, Rutland in 1960 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. She graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Academy and earned a B.S. degree in education from the College of St. Joseph the Provider, Rutland.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Burlington as a teacher at St. Peter and at Christ the King Schools in Rutland; St. Mary School, Fair Haven and at St. Michael’s School, Brattleboro where she served as teacher and as principal. She served as Coordinator of Mt. St. Joseph Convent in Rutland.  Sr. Sheila became a resident of St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie, Holyoke, Mass. in 2002.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Sheila is survived by her twin brother Michael, her brother Kevin and her sisters Catherine Priest, Maureen Henderer and Brenda Weiss and several generations of loving nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Sheila will take place in Christ the King Parish in Rutland, VT on Friday, October 25. Sister will be waked from 10:00  to 10:45 AM. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rutland, VT.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sister Doris Harland

Sister Doris Harland (Sr. Mary William), 87, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on Monday, August 19, 2019. A native of Chicopee, Mass., she was the daughter of William and Mary (Fontaine) Harland.

Sister Doris entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Patrick Parish, Chicopee in 1955. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield, Mass., and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister taught at St. Mary School and St. Charles School in Pittsfield; St. Agnes School in Dalton and in Holyoke at Blessed Sacrament and Immaculate Conception Schools. She served as secretary in various diocesan agencies including Catholic Charities, St. Michael Cemetery Services and Open Window Bookstore. She also served on the staff of the Mission Office of the Sisters of Providence, Holyoke.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Doris is survived by three sisters, Lucille Harland, Alice Chapin, Rhea Perreault, two brothers, Butler Harland and Bernard Harland and her sister-in-law Nancy. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John.

All services for Sr. Doris will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m.to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. 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 Ruth Virginia Quinn

Sister Ruth Virginia Quinn, (Margaret Mary) 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at the Marian Center in Holyoke on Tuesday, August 13, 2019. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of Peter and Nora (Marrinan) Quinn.

Sister Ruth Virginia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. John Parish, Worcester, MA in 1948. She graduated from Ascension High School in Worcester. Sister earned a BA degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a M.Ed. in special education from Fitchburg State College where she was the recipient of the Joseph P. Kennedy Scholarship.

Sister taught for several years at Sacred Heart School in Holyoke and at Holy Family School in Springfield. From 1972 to 2017 Sister Ruth served at Holy Name Parish in Springfield as teacher for many years and as secretary for the religious education program. She also established 13 diocesan learning centers to help children with special learning needs receive training in religious education.  She was a faithful volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. In 2004 she received the Points of Light Award from President George W. Bush for her devoted volunteerism and in 2006 she was honored by Holy Name Parish for her many years of dedicated service. In her retirement Sister continued to offer her services in companion ministry.

In addition to her Sisters in Community Sister Ruth is survived by several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and four sisters, including Sr. Ruth Dolores, SSJ.

All services for Sr. Ruth Virginia will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Friday, August 16, 2019. She will be waked from 9:30 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 Mary Frances Honnen

Sister Mary Frances Honnen (Sr. James Francis),  97, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke on June 25, 2019. A native of Newport, RI, she was the daughter of William and Winifred (Sullivan) Honnen.

Sister Mary Francis entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish, Newport, RI in 1939. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Newport. Sister earned a B.S. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.A. from The University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University.

Sister taught and chaired the Science Department at Cathedral High School, Springfield for eighteen years and served as Academic Dean at the College of Our Lady of the Elms for five years. She was Parish Minister and Administrator at Christ the King Parish, Tomkinsville, Kentucky. Sister Mary Frances held several positions in the Congregation including Director of Education, member of the Executive Board, and President from 1987-1993.  During her presidency she was also a member of the governing board of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1996 she was a founder of the House of Peace and Education (HOPE) in Gardner, MA, where she served as its first executive director. In her retirement Sister continued as a HOPE volunteer in grant writing and produced the organization’s newsletter. In 2000 The College of Our Lady of the Elms awarded her an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and in 2003 she was honored by Cathedral High School for her contributions as teacher and department chair.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Mary Francis is survived by her sister-in-law, Grace Honnen of Maryland, and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings William, James and Winifred Menchise.

All services for Sr. Mary Frances will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Friday, June 28, 2019. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. St. Louis Paquette

Sister St. Louis (Therese) Paquette, 98, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on April 21, 2019 at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. Born in Swansea, Mass., she was the daughter of Venant and Exaree (Desmarais) Paquette.

Sister St. Louis entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, Mass. from St. Louis de France Parish, Swansea in 1936 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. She attended Case High School in Swansea and graduated from Novitiate High School, Fall River. She earned a B.A. at Rivier College, Nashua, NH and an M.A. at St. Rose College, Albany, NY.  She earned an A.M.I at Assumption College, Worcester.

Sister taught in the following schools: St. Michael, Ocean Grove, St. Joseph, New Bedford, and Blessed Sacrament, Fall River. She served as teacher, Director and Principal of the Montessori School in Fall River.  She also served at Montessori School of the Angels in Westport, MA.  In 2001 she retired to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie, Holyoke where she served on the support staff in various positions.

In addition to her Sisters in Community Sister is survived by several generations of  nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven sisters and seven brothers.

All services for Sr. St. Louis will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Wednesday, April 24th. She will be waked from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Helene Michael Nihill

Sister Helene Michael Nihill (Margaret), 90, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham on April 8, 2019. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Michael T. and Helena M. (Muldoon) Nihill.

Sister Helene Michael entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield in 1952. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Springfield and earned a BA degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister Helene taught for many years at schools in the Springfield Diocese beginning with St. Mary School, Westfield, Mass. and Sacred School, Pittsfield, Mass. Sister then served as an elementary teacher for 25 years at St. Thomas the Apostle School, West Springfield, Mass. During her retirement years, Sister served as a switchboard operator at Mont Marie and a member of the Mont Marie Retirement Community Support Staff. Sister Helene then resided at Fontbonne Convent in Milton Mass. before moving to Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Helene is survived by several generations of loving nieces and nephews and several generations of grateful students. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, Anne McCowan, Bernice Finn, Barbara Martin, Joseph Nihill and John Nihill.

All services for Sr. Helene Michael will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Saturday, April 13, 2019. She will be waked from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:15 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. 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 James Bernard Laughnane

Sister James Bernard Laughnane (Genevieve), 95, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. on March 10, 2019. A native of Southbridge, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Jessie (Lamoureaux) Laughnane.

Sister James Bernard entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Southbridge in 1942.  She graduated from St. Mary High School, Southbridge. Sister earned a BA degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.Ed. in education and reading from Boston College.

Sister served in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at St. Jerome School, Holyoke, St. Patrick School, Chicopee and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She served as librarian at St. Mary School and Jacob Edwards Library, both in Southbridge and at St. Joseph Academy, St. Augustine, Florida.  Sister also taught in the GAL Adult Literacy Program in Ludlow.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister James Bernard is survived by several generations of loving nieces and nephews including Ann Marie Marino, Janice Kennedy and James Bernard Laughnane III.

All services for Sr. James Bernard will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The wake will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Mary Lou Lacey

Sr. Mary Lou Lacey (Sr. Edward Grace), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on January 17, 2019. Born in Holyoke, Mass. she was the daughter of Edward A. and Grace C. (Finn) Lacey.

Sister Mary Lou entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Jerome Parish, Holyoke in 1946. She graduated from St Jerome High School, Holyoke. Sister earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. from Boston College.

She served as a teacher at schools in the Diocese of Springfield including Our Lady of Hope, Holy Family and Holy Name in Springfield, and taught for19 years at Cathedral High School. She spent the next 21 years at Elms College where she was both Director of Public Information and Director of Public Relations. Upon her retirement from the Elms in 2001 the Sister Mary Lou Lacey Library Endowment for the Humanities and Education was given to Elms College in her name by her former student Kevin Barry, who began his study of Journalism on the Cathedral Chronicle under the guidance of Sr. Mary Lou.

After her retirement, Sister volunteered at Weston Rehab and received the Spirit in Mission award from the Weston Rehab Center and the St. Joseph Medal recognizing her outstanding commitment to Cathedral High School.

In addition to her Sisters in Community Sr. Mary Lou is lovingly remembered by several cousins, friends and several generations of grateful students.

All services for Sr. Mary Lou will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke, Mass. on Monday, January 21, 2019. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Patricia Francis Sharron

Sister Patricia Francis Sharron (Lillian), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. on Christmas morning, December 25, 2018. A native of North Adams, Mass., she was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Moore) Sharron.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Francis Parish, North Adams in 1943.  She graduated from St. Joseph High School, North Adams and earned a B.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister Patricia Francis taught in the Diocese of Springfield at St. Mary School in Pittsfield and then taught first grade at Holy Name School in Springfield from 1947 to 1967.  Sister served in Diocesan Ministry at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield and for many years  served on the diocesan staff at the Bishop’s Residence.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Patricia is survived by several generations of nieces and nephews. Sister was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and five sisters, including her sister in community Sr. Edward Maria.

Services for Sr. Patricia Francis will take place in St. Michael Cathedral on Friday, December 28, 2018. She will be waked from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm with a prayer service at 12:45pm. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 pm. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Loretta Scarlett

Sister Loretta Scarlett, 88, known in religion as Sr. Vincent Joseph, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on November 16, 2018. A native of South Barre, Mass., she was the daughter of George and Loretta (Despres) Scarlett.

Sister Loretta entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Thomas Parish, South Barre in 1948. She graduated from Barre High School and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms College, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister ministered in the Springfield Diocese at Cathedral Grammar, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, St. Matthew and Holy Name Schools, Springfield, and St. Agnes School, Dalton. She served in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Mary School, Southbridge, St. Joseph School, North Brookfield and at Sacred Heart, Gardner as Principal and as Pastoral Associate. She was also a member of the support staff at Mont Marie.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Loretta is survived by two nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Joseph Gallant and Dorina Bernard.

Services for Sr. Loretta will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Margaret Henry Blicharz

Sister Margaret Henry Blicharz (Veronica Rose) 91, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. Born in West Rutland, Vermont, she was the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Czachor) Blicharz.

Sister Margaret Henry entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland in 1951 from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in West Rutland.  She became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield when the Congregations merged in 2001. Sister graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland, and earned her B.S. degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, Vermont.

Among Sister’s teaching assignments were Christ the King School in Rutland;   St. Michael’s School, Brattleboro; St. Mary’s School in Fair Haven; St. Anthony’s School in White River Junction and St. Stanislaus School in West Rutland.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her brother Henry Blicharz, her sister Dorothy Blicharz and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers and four sisters.

Services for Sister Margaret Henry will take place at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in West Rutland, Vt. on Saturday, August 4, 2018. A wake service will be held at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Judith Smeltz


Sister Judith Smeltz, 75, known in religion as Sr. Margaret Robert, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. on April 28, 2018. Born in Kingston, NY she was the daughter of Robert A. and Margaret M. (Bracken) Smeltz.

Sister Judith entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Syracuse, NY in 1960. She graduated from Simsbury High School, Conn. Sister earned a BA degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an advanced certificate of study in pastoral counseling from Emmanuel College, Boston and a certificate in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Sister taught at Our Lady of the Rosary School in Holyoke, Holy Family School in Springfield and St. Mary’s in Milford, Mass. She later worked in the Spanish Apostolate in Holyoke and Springfield. Sr. Judith also did pastoral work at Our Lady of Hope Parish for many years, and served as the Director of the Diocesan Renew Program, Director of Jericho Homes in Holyoke and Director of the Office of Pastoral Ministry for the Diocese of Springfield. Sister also worked at Home Instead Senior Care in Springfield and was a Chaplain-on-Call for the Springfield Police Department. Most recently, Sister Judith volunteered at Mary Mother of Hope Church.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Judith is survived by her sister, Roberta LaRose, her brother, William and his wife JoAnn, six cherished nieces, several grand nephews and a grand niece.

Services for Sr. Judith will take place at Mary Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd, in Springfield on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 am with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place in Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Annette Marie Chagnon

Sister Annette Marie Chagnon, 80, formerly known as Cecile, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on February 28, 2018 at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. Born in Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of Albert and Ida (Martel) Chagnon.

Sister Annette Marie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, Mass. from Sr. Michael Parish, Ocean Grove, Mass. in 1951 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 1974. Sister graduated from St. Therese Novitiate High School in Fall River.  She earned an A.S. from Bristol Community College and a B.A. from Southeastern Massachusetts University.

Sister Annette taught at St. Jean Baptiste, St. Roch, and Blessed Sacrament Schools in Fall River; St. Louis de France, Swansea; St. Joseph’s, New Bedford; St. Therese’s, New Bedford; and also at St. Joseph Montessori School, Fall River. Sister Annette worked at Mont Marie as part of the support staff for the Conference Center and for Weston Rehab Associates.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her sister, Annette Cantin and several loving nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Annette Marie will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Friday, March 2, 2018. She will be waked from 9:30 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.

Sr. Roberta Mulcahy

Sister Roberta Mulcahy, 83, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, formerly known as Sister Francis Julia died in Holyoke, MA on Sunday, December 17, 2017. A native of Springfield, Mass. she was the daughter of Francis J. and Julia M. (Bauchiero) Mulcahy.

Sister Roberta entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish, Springfield in 1952. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield.  Sister Roberta earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. degree in pastoral ministry from Emmanuel College, Boston.

Sister Roberta taught at Holy Name and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Schools in Springfield, and served as principal of St. Mary School in Milford. She served as a Consultant in Early Childhood Education for Mont Marie Child Care Center. She also ministered for many years in the Spanish Apostolate in Holyoke in pastoral work and religious education, as a teacher of homeless children in Falmouth and in Greenhouse Management at New Alchemy Institute, Falmouth. She served on the Congregation’s Vocation Team, as Coordinator of the SSJ Justice and Peace Office and in Congregational Administration on the SSJ Leadership Team. Sr. Roberta found great joy in her passion for Earth Justice Ministry as a coordinator of the SSJ Ecology Committee.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Roberta is survived by her brothers Thomas and his wife Dianne and Francis Mulcahy and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. The Sisters of St. Joseph are grateful for the exceptional care Sr. Roberta received from Miriam Najimy, DHM, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary as well as Mercy Hospice Care.

Services for Sr. Roberta will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. A private, green burial will take place in Mont Marie Cemetery on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Beverly Rochford

Sister Beverly Rochford, 79, formerly known as Sr. Martin Patrick, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Amherst, Mass. on December 14, 2017. Born in Springfield, she was the daughter of Martin and Mary (Hartford) Rochford.

Sister Beverly entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Thomas Parish, West Springfield, MA in 1956. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and earned a B.A. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.Ed. from Springfield College.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School and in the Physical Education Department at Cathedral High School.  She served as Physical Fitness director at several parishes and at Mont Marie in Holyoke.  Sister Beverly was the Chairperson of the Sisters of St. Joseph Festival from 1985 to 2004.  The SSJ Festival was held annually attracting thousands of visitors to Mont Marie. She also served as assistant director of the Sweet Suite, the SSJ confectionary shop and served as travel and tour guide for several area senior centers.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sr. Beverly is survived by several cousins and close friends. The Sisters of St. Joseph are grateful for the exceptional care Sr. Beverly received from the staff at The Center for Extended Care in Amherst as well as the staff at Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice.

All services for Sr. Beverly will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Tuesday, December 19, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to Cancer Connection Inc., 41 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060.

Sr. Louise Thomas McIsaac

Sister Louise Thomas McIsaac (Rita), 92, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Natick, Mass. on November 12, 2017. A native of Worcester, Mass. she was the daughter of George and Ethel (Hurley) McIsaac.

Sister Louise Thomas entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Peter Parish, Worcester in 1947. She graduated from South High School, Worcester. Sister earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA and a M.Ed. from Heed University, Florida.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield at Annunciation School, Northampton, St. Mary School, Pittsfield and for most of her teaching career in Holyoke, at Sacred Heart School, St. Jerome School, Blessed Sacrament School as principal, and at Holyoke Catholic where she was Director of Performing Arts and coordinator of Community Service. She also served in the Diocesan Schools Office of Communication. Sister Louise Thomas became a member of St. Joseph Retirement Community at Mont Marie in 2008, and more recently resided at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her sister Margaret Konkol and several loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, two brothers and three sisters.

All services for Sr. Louise Thomas will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on      Wednesday, November 15, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Clare O’Brien

Sister Clare O’Brien, 92, formerly known as Sr. Teresa James, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. on October 27, 2017.  Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Irene (Brigham) O’Brien.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Stephen Parish, Worcester in 1944.  She was graduated from St. Stephen High School, Worcester and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at Immaculate Conception School, West Springfield; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Holy Family Schools, Springfield; in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Joseph, West Brookfield; St. Louis, Webster; St. Joseph, Leicester  and Worcester Central Catholic Schools. Sister retired in 1996.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Clare is survived by her brother, Joseph and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Paul, James, John, Donald and Robert and her sisters Mary Thompson, Joanne Dacey and Margaret Bolduc.

All services for Sr. Clare will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Sister will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sr. Mary Marrin

Sister Mary Marrin, 79, formerly known as Sr. Veronica Anthony, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on August 31, 2017. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of George Anthony and Margaret V. (Linehan) Marrin.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady Fatima Parish, Worcester in 1956. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Worcester. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.A. from St. Joseph College, West Hartford.

Sister Mary taught at St. Paul’s, Blackstone, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Holy Family Schools in Springfield and at St. Mary Grammar School, Westfield. Sister was chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, and Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She also served as switchboard operator and receptionist at Mont Marie.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents. In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Mary leaves several close friends to cherish her memory.

All services for Sr. Mary will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie in Holyoke on Monday, September 4, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Christine Swords

Sister Christine Swords, 88, known in religion as Sr. Marie Christine, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center in Framingham, Mass. on August 20, 2017. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Raymond L. and Josephine (Noonan) Swords.

Sister Christine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Holy Family Parish, Springfield in 1950. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. Sister Christine earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. in Spanish from Boston College.

Sister spent many years teaching Spanish at Cathedral High School in Springfield. In addition, she served as Director of Novices and also served on the Executive Board/Leadership Team of the Sisters of St. Joseph. After her retirement from Cathedral High School in 1994, Sister worked in the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Christine is survived by her sister Margaret Swords of East Longmeadow and several generations of loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Fr. Raymond Swords, John Swords and Mary Swords.

All services for Sr. Christine will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Ann Mungovan

Sister Ann Marie Mungovan, 93, known in religion as Sr. Margaret John, beloved member of the Sisters of St Joseph of Springfield, died on August 15, 2017 at Mont Marie Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Holyoke. Born in Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Margaret (Twomey) Mungovan.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Ann Parish, Worcester in 1941. Sister was graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Worcester. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and a M.A. degree from Fairfield University.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield in the following schools: Sacred Heart, Holyoke, St. Joseph, Pittsfield, St. Mary, Northampton, and Cathedral High School, Springfield, where she served for 21 years. She taught in the Diocese of Worcester in the following schools: St. Louis, Webster, Sacred Heart, Gardner, St. Mary, Milford and St. Peter High School in Worcester.

Sister Ann was preceded in death by her brothers John and Joseph Mungovan and her sisters Elizabeth Millus, Mary Seil and Marguerite Eastwood. In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her beloved nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Ann will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. She will be waked from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m with a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Mary Frances Lavelle

Sister Mary Frances Lavelle (Sr. Agnes Philippa), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on June 22, 2017 in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, MA. Born in Holyoke, MA she was the daughter of Philip and Bridget (Monahan) Lavelle.

Sister Mary Frances entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke in 1946. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke and earned her A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and an M.A. in administration from North Adams State College.

Among Sister’s teaching assignments were: St. Joseph School, Cherry Valley, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Springfield, Sacred Heart School, Gardner, Cathedral High School, Springfield, St. Peter Marion High School, Worcester, Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke, and St. Joseph High School, North Adams. In her latter years she served as Coordinator of Retirement at Mont Marie and as Community Archivist.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her siblings, Philip M. Lavelle of Quincy, MA, Michael J. Lavelle of Westfield, MA, Francis P. Lavelle of Marston Mills, MA and Sarah A. Dean, of Marston Mills, MA and by many nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her siblings John J. Lavelle, Charles E. Lavelle, and Teresa Pollard.

All services for Sr. Mary Frances Lavelle will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Monday, June 26, 2017.  She will be waked from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a prayer service at      10:00 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Elizabeth Molloy

Sister Elizabeth Molloy, (James Gertrude), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Holyoke, Mass., on March 27, 2017. Born in Auburn, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Gertrude (Daley) Molloy.

Sister Elizabeth entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Joseph Parish, Auburn in 1941.  She graduated from St. Peter High School, Worcester, earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a Master’s degree in pastoral ministry from St. Joseph College, West Hartford.

Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Holy Name School, Springfield and Blessed Sacrament and St. Jerome Schools, Holyoke, and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Joseph School, North Brookfield and St. Peter Marian School, Worcester.  She served as director of parish religious education programs in St. Cecilia Parish, Wilbraham and in St. Patrick Parish and Nativity Parish, Chicopee.  She was on the staff of the Gray House, Springfield and the staff of the Maguire Center at the College of Our Lady of the Elms.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her sisters, Sister Janice Molloy, SSJ of West Springfield and Kathleen Molloy of Holyoke, as well as by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Mary Molloy Sullivan, John Molloy, and Edmund Molloy, all of Worcester, and by her siblings Robert Molloy, Paul Molloy and Donald Molloy, all of Auburn.

All services for Sr. Elizabeth will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie, 36 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke on Thursday, March 30, 2017. The wake will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:00. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sr. Theresa Derouin

Sister Theresa Derouin (Andrew Maria), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, Mass., on February 26, 2017. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Andrew and Mary (St. George) Derouin.

Sr. Theresa entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Southbridge, Mass. in 1941. She graduated from St. Mary High School, Southbridge and earned an A.B. degree from College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a Master’s degree in French Literature from Assumption College, Worcester. She also studied debate coaching at Marquette University.

Sr. Theresa was both teacher and debate coach in the Worcester Diocese at St. Louis High School, Webster; in the Providence Diocese at St. Catherine Academy, Newport; and in the Springfield Diocese at St. Mary High School, Westfield, St. Jerome High School/Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke, and St. Joseph High School, North Adams. Her final teaching assignment was at Cathedral High School, Springfield, where she served for twenty-three years. Throughout the years she remained active in professional associations of teachers of French and of debate coaches. She retired to Cathedral Convent in 1994, to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie in 2007 and Bethany Healthcare Center in 2014.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her sister-in law, Maureen DeRouin of Auburn, Mass. and by several nieces and nephews.

All services for Sr. Theresa will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie, Holyoke on Friday, March 3, 2017. She will be waked starting at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:45. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sr. Judith Ann Levins

Sister Judith Ann Levins (Mary Patrick), 79, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in the Daughters of the Heart of Mary Healthcare Unit, Holyoke, Mass.  on February 16, 2017. A native of Rutland, VT she was the daughter of the late P. Barrett and Jean (McKay) Levins.

Sister Judith entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland in 1955 from Christ the King Parish, Rutland, and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two Congregations merged in 2001. She was graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy, Rutland and earned a B.S. degree from the College of St. Joseph, Rutland and a Master’s in theology from the University of Notre Dame. Sister also studied at Divine Word Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

Sister Judith ministered in Rutland as teacher at St. Peter School, Mount St. Joseph Academy and the College of St. Joseph, where she also served as campus minister. She ministered at St. Francis de Sales Parish, Bennington in Religious Education.  She served her Congregation in several positions: Novice Director, 1974-78; Vice President, 1978-81; and President, 1988-94. Starting in 1998 she ministered at St. Peter Parish, Rutland as Pastoral Associate. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Valiant Woman Award granted by Church Women United of Rutland.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins and their families and by her sister-in-law, Alberta Levins. She was predeceased by her siblings Mary Catherine McKay, William Andrew Levins, Patrick Barrett Levins, Jr., Joan Riebold, T. Douglas Levins, and Michael Joseph Levins.

The wake will take place at St. Peter Church, Convent Ave., Rutland at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland will take place in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of St. Joseph Administrative Offices, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

Sr. Elizabeth Broughan

Sister Elizabeth Broughan (Maureen John), 71, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Mary’s Meadow, Holyoke, Mass. on February 5, 2017. Born in Greenfield, Mass. she was the daughter of John and Mary (McDevitt) Broughan.

Sr. Elizabeth entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Greenfield in 1963. She was graduated from Greenfield High School. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. from Boston College.

Sr. Betty taught at St. Mary’s High School, Milford and St. Mary’s High School, Westfield, where she also served as Principal. Sr. Betty was Dean of Students and later Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Elms College, Chicopee. She served in Campus Ministry at the Newman Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and later worked in pastoral ministry at St. Patrick’s, Springfield. For the past 15 years she has been a Pastoral Associate at St. Michael’s, East Longmeadow.

In addition to her Sisters in community she is survived by her sisters, Sr. Maureen Broughan, SSJ of Holyoke and Mary Winchell of Glen Ridge, NJ; by her brothers John W. Broughan of Newport, RI and William Broughan of Greenbrae, CA; and by six nieces and nephews and six grandnieces and nephew.

All services for Sr. Elizabeth will take place in St. Michael’s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow.  She will be waked on Friday, February 10 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 to 10:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m.   Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Maria Bernadette Lunney

Sister Maria Bernadette Lunney (Mary T.), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, Mass. on February 2, 2017. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Anna (Fay) Lunney.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Bernard Parish, Worcester in 1941. She graduated from Commerce High School, Worcester. She earned an A.B. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and did graduate study in mathematics at the University of Maryland, Western Illinois University, and the State University of New York at Oneonta. Sister also earned certification in Clinical Pastoral Education and as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

She ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher in Springfield at Cathedral Grammar School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Our Lady of Hope School and Cathedral High School; in Holyoke at Blessed Sacrament School, and Sacred Heart Elementary School and in Pittsfield at St. Mary of the Morning Star School.  From 1971 to 1981 Sister served in missions in Kenya, East Africa.  She also served as pastoral minister in St. Teresa and in St. Thomas Parishes in Providence, RI and St. Mary Parish, Cashton, WI. From 1989 to 2000 Sister ministered to the Sisters at St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie. She retired in 2000.

In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by several cousins and their families.

Please note: Because of the poor weather predictions for February 9, the funeral forSr. Maria Bernadette Lunney has been postponed until Friday, February 10.

All services for Sr. Maria Bernadette will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on February 9, 2017.  At her request there will be no wake, but family and friends are invited to gather at 10:30 a.m. in preparation for the Liturgy of Christian Burial at  11:00. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Elizabeth M. Sullivan

Sister Elizabeth M. Sullivan (Mary Timothy), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Holyoke Medical Center on January 29, 2017. A native of Worcester, Mass. she was the daughter of the late Timothy and Mary (Dineen) Sullivan.

Sister Betty entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Immaculate Conception Parish, Worcester in 1951. She was graduated from St. Peter High School, Worcester and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister taught in the parish grammar schools at Sacred Heart, Gardner; St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield; Immaculate Conception, Easthampton; and St. Mary’s, Longmeadow. She spent 32 years, 1979-2011, at the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, where she served as a reader services assistant in the Alumnae Library.

Sister Betty was predeceased by her siblings, Michael Joseph Sullivan, William John Sullivan, Mary Patricia (Sullivan) Courtois, and Timothy Joseph Sullivan. In addition to her Sisters in community she is survived by her sister-in-law Virginia “Ginger” Sullivan of Worcester and by many nephews and nieces and their families.

All services for Sr. Elizabeth will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. She will be waked from 9:00 to 10:30 with a prayer service at 10:00. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00.  Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Cecilia James Mahoney

Sister Cecilia James Mahoney (Catherine D.), 95, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Baystate Medical Center on January 18, 2017.  A native of Worcester, Mass. she was the daughter of James and Catherine O’Shea Mahoney.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Peter Parish, Worcester in 1940. She was graduated from St. Peter High School, Worcester. She earned both an A.B. degree and an M.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister Cecilia taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Cathedral Grammar, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and St. Matthew, all in Springfield, and St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield. In the Diocese of Worcester she taught at St. Louis, Webster and St. Mary, Southbridge. She also served as Directress of Junior Professed for the Congregation.  For ten years she ministered in education in Kenya, East Africa. Upon her return from the missions, she served as librarian at Notre Dame Middle School, Pittsfield. She retired in West Springfield in 1996.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sisters, Mary McCarthy of Portsmouth, RI, Barbara Murphy of Worcester, MA and Patricia Calhoun of Hollywood, FL and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother James.

All services for Sr. Cecilia James will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Saturday, January 21, 2017. She will be waked from 8:30 to 10:00 with a prayer service at 9:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister John Brigid Barrett

Sister John Brigid (Mary Theresa), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on December 3, 2016 in Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Holyoke, Mass. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Brigid (Dooling) Barrett.

Sister John Brigid entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield in 1952.  She attended Our Lady of Hope School and was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, a M.Ed. from Boston University and a Graduate Certificate in College Management from Harvard School of Business.

Among Sister’s teaching assignments were: in the Diocese of Springfield, Holy Rosary High School, Holyoke and St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield; in the Diocese of Worcester, Sacred Heart Academy; and in the Diocese of Providence, St. Catherine Academy, Newport. From 1969-1988, Sister John Brigid was the Treasurer of the College of Our Lady of the Elms. She later served as Administrative Assistant for the Council of Churches, Springfield.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister Jean McDermott of Hartford, CT. and by several nieces and nephews and their children, for whom she continues to be a source of strength, inspiration and comfort. She was predeceased by her sisters Kathleen Relihan of Springfield and Eileen Tobin of Holyoke. All services for Sr. John Brigid will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Friday, December 9, 2016. She will be waked from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

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Sister Mary Polworth

Sister Mary Polworth (John Joseph), 89, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on November 10, 2016 in Rutland Regional Medical Center in Rutland, Vermont. Born in Manchester, NH she was the daughter of Robert and Sophronia (Dubie) Polworth.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland from Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Parish, Burlington, VT in 1952.  She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield (Mass.) in 2001 when the two Communities merged.  She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Burlington, VT and earned her B.S. degree from Trinity College, Burlington.

Sister was a faculty member and Chair of the Business Department at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland and a faculty member at St. Joseph College, Bennington, VT.  She briefly served as Executive Secretary at the Southern Vermont Computer Center, Bennington before being named President of the College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland, a post in which she served from 1974-83. Sister Mary ministered in many capacities in the Congregation: as Vice President, Director of Development, and Secretary to the President.  She also was a member of the Burlington Diocesan School Board and the Bishop’s Commission on Women.  She served on the boards of many other educational, business, and civic organizations in Vermont. In 2004 she retired to St. Joseph’s Residence in Rutland.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister, Elsa Polworth of South Burlington, VT. She was predeceased by her sister, Sr. Jean Polworth, C.S., and by her brothers, James and John Polworth.

The wake will take place on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 134 Convent Avenue, Rutland. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Marguerite Blackburn

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)

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.

 

Sister Nancy Welsh

Sister Nancy Welsh, (Paul Maria), 75, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Springfield, MA on May 20, 2016.

Born in Malden, MA she was the daughter of Paul and Marie (Moquin) Welsh. Sr. Nancy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Leo Parish, Leominster, MA in 1962. She was graduated from Leominster High School and earned a B.S. degree from (then) Fitchburg State College.

She taught briefly at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School, Holyoke, MA, and then served in Gardner, MA for over 40 years. Subsequently she worked in medical records at the Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke and was also pastoral minister there.

In addition to her Sisters in community she is survived by her brother David Welsh of Virginia and her sister Barbara Walsh and husband John of Brookline, MA and by many nieces and nephews and their families. All services will take place in the Chapel at Mont Marie, 36 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke, MA on Wednesday, May 25. The wake will be from 9:30 – 11:30 with a prayer service at 10:15. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 with burial in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Grace Belforti

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.

 

Sister Rita Pelletier

Sister Rita Pelletier, 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Mount St. Rita Health Centre, Cumberland, RI on February 4, 2016. A native of New Bedford, MA, she was the daughter of Joseph and Medora (Fontaine) Pelletier.

In 1945 Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River, MA from St. Joseph Parish, New Bedford. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield merged in 1974. Sister Rita graduated from Novitiate High School, Fall River and received a B.A. degree from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT and a M.A. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT.

In the Diocese of Fall River Sister Rita taught at St. Jean Baptiste, Blessed Sacrament and St. Roch Schools, in Fall River and St. Joseph and St. Mary Schools in New Bedford. She served as Religious Education Coordinator and as Pastoral Minister at St. Mary Parish, New Bedford and as Pastoral Minister at St. Francis Xavier Parish, Acushnet, MA. She was the Associate Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Fall River. Her last years of active ministry were at Rock Funeral Home, New Bedford.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by several cousins; her dear friend, Dr. Carol Duphily and her husband Patrick Sheridan of New Bedford; her godchild, Liz Forgue of New Bedford; her dear friends Leonard Rock and Joseph Ando, both of Tiverton, RI; and many other friends, including the residents of Casey-Miller Apartments.

The wake will take place at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, MA on Sunday, February 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family-Sacred Heart Church, 121 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Bedford.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Mary Randall

Sister Mary Randall, (Robert Marie), 82, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Framingham, Mass. on November 28, 2015. A native of Newport, RI she was the daughter of Robert A. and Marie (Niland) Randall.

Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Augustine Parish, Newport in 1950. She was graduated from St. Catherine Academy, Newport and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister Mary taught at Immaculate Conception School, Easthampton, Mass. and Sacred Heart School in Gardner, Mass. She served the Diocese of Providence for many years at St. Lucy School, Middletown, and St. Joseph School, Newport and ministered among the people of St. Thomas Parish, Providence for 37 years, from 1976 until her retirement in 2013.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her siblings, Fr. Robert Randall of Florida, Theresa Zimmerly of Ohio, and Joan Soares of Newport, RI and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Fr. John Randall of Providence, RI.

The wake will take place at Mont Marie, 36 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke, Mass. on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a prayer service at 10:30 a.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow in Mont Marie Chapel at 11:30 a.m. with burial in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Norma A. MacDonald

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.

 

Sister Joseph Anna Hine

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 Martin (Henry Anne)

Sister Marie Martin (Henry Anne), 68, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died at home in Chicopee on August 16, 2015. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Henry F. and Cornella A. (Shea) Martin.

Sister Marie entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1965 from Holy Name Parish, Springfield. She attended Holy Name Grammar School and graduated in 1965 from Cathedral High School.  There she participated in school musicals and was known for her love of music. She also was a member of the St. Therese Club at Holy Name Parish. She earned a B.A. from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and a Certificate in Youth Ministry from Providence College.

Teaching assignments for Sister Marie included Sacred Heart, Pittsfield; St. Lucy’s, Middletown, R.I.; Prout Memorial High School, Wakefield, R.I.; and Our Lady of Hope, Springfield. She served at St. Joseph Parish, Newport, as a youth minister, religious educator and pastoral minister. She was given the CYO person of the year award by the Diocese of Providence, R.I. for her work in youth ministry. Sister was pastoral minister at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Agawam and an adult religious educator and spiritual director at St. Francis Parish, Belchertown. She was media coordinator and consultant for the Springfield Diocesan Office of Religious Education. Most recently, Sister Marie was site manager at the Western Massachusetts Senior Center on Parker Street in Springfield.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her brother James Martin and his wife Patricia, her sister Peggy Weber and her husband, John and seven nieces and nephews: Meghan Bracewell and her husband Patrick, Kerry Weber Lynch and her husband, Colm, Matthew Weber and his wife Nell, James Martin, II., Kaitlin Martin, Elizabeth Begley and her husband, Jeremiah, and Madeleine Martin. She also is survived by three great nieces Charlotte Bracewell, Cordelia Begley and Lillian Bracewell (born Aug. 16, 2015) and by a great nephew Brendan Bracewell. She was predeceased by her parents Hank and Connie Martin and her great niece Marian Begley.

Sister Marie was scheduled to celebrate her 50th anniversary as a Sister of St. Joseph on Sept. 13 with the other members of her “party.” She especially cherished the time spent with them and the sense of real community that they provided.

The wake will take place at Mont Marie, Holyoke on Friday, August 21, 2015 from 10:30 to 12:30 with a prayer service at 11:30. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in the Mont Marie Chapel on the same day at 1:30.  Burial will follow in Mont Marie Cemetery. A light lunch will be served to all in attendance between the wake and the funeral.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

 

Sister Gertrude Conway

Sister Gertrude Conway, (William Marie), 99, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield (Mass.), died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, Holyoke, MA on June 13, 2015. A native of Rutland, Vermont, she was the daughter of Patrick and Mary (Shelvey) Conway.

Sister Conway entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Vermont in 1944 from St. Peter Parish, Rutland, Vermont.   She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two communities merged. She attended St. Peter School and graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland.  She earned a B.S. degree from Trinity College, Burlington, Vermont and an M.S. degree from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

Sister Conway was a charter member of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and played cello also with the CVPSC orchestra and the Sisters of St. Joseph Orchestra. She sang in church choirs in both Rutland and Bennington.

Sister Conway taught at St Peter School, Christ the King School and Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland, Vermont and St. Francis de Sales School in Bennington, Vermont.  She taught in the business departments at Bennington Catholic High School, St. Joseph College and Southern Vermont College in Bennington.  She was active in the business community of Bennington, as well.  In 1999 she retired to St. Joseph Residence in Rutland, later moving to Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her four brothers, Richard Shelvey, Patrick Edward, John Thomas and William Martin Conway; and three sisters, Catherine Teresa Sebasky, and Sisters Mary Patrick, RSM and Mary Joachim, RSM.

The wake and funeral will take place at St. Peter Church, Convent Avenue, Rutland on Wednesday, June 17. The wake will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, Mass. 01104.

 

Sister Marie Gill Reilley

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.

 

Sister Catherine Leary (Kathleen James)

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.

 

Sister Roberta Maria Campbell (Margaret)

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 Dorothy Santarpia (Marie Francois)

Sister Dorothy Santarpia (Marie Francois), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in River Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Lancaster, Mass. on February 2, 2015. A native of Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of Francisco and Maria (Brazoa) Santarpia.

Sister Dorothy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy in Fall River from St. Elizabeth Parish, Fall River in 1945 and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the congregations merged in 1974. She graduated from Novitiate High, Fall River, earned a Bachelor’s degree from Regis College, Weston, Mass. and Master’s degrees from Manhattanville College, New York and State College of Arkansas.

Sister Dorothy taught in the Diocese of Fall River at St. Matthew and St. Roch Schools, Fall River; St. Joseph and St. Therese Schools, New Bedford, Mass.; and at St. Therese School, Conway, Arkansas. She served in the Diocese of Springfield at Cathedral High School, Springfield as guidance counselor and also at Catholic Charities as a counselor.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her sisters, Sr. Estelle Santarpia, SSJ, of Milford, Mass., Susan Pavao of Fall River, Mass. and Louise Gragnani of Naples, Fla. as well as by several nieces and nephews.

 

Sister Irene T. Magnant (Rita Lucian)

Sister Irene T. Magnant (Rita Lucian), 83, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 67th year, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center on February 3, 2015. A native of Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of Lucian and Aldea (Masse) Magnant.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Cecilia Parish, Pawtucket. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket and earned a A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister Irene’s teaching assignments were at Holy Rosary, Holyoke; St. Peter’s, Worcester; St. Joseph’s, Pittsfield and Cathedral High School in Springfield. In 1974 Sister was employed in the Business Office at Mont Marie until June 1988 when she took the position as Bookkeeper at Holyoke Catholic High School where she remained until June 2007.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by two nieces, Adrienne and Lillian Jette. She was predeceased by her sister Rita Jette.

 

Sister Ann Keefe

Sister Ann Keefe, 62, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at home in Providence, RI on January 18, 2015. A native of Warren, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Patricia (Gorman) Keefe.

In 1970 Sister Ann entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Paul Cathedral Parish, Worcester, Mass. She graduated from Marianhill Central Catholic High School, Southbridge, Mass. and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University, Bronx, NY.

Sister Ann taught for a year at Bishop McVinney Catholic Elementary School, Providence, RI before working as director and counselor for Project Respond at CARE in Providence. She served in Team Ministry at St. Michael’s Parish in Providence beginning in 1982 and has continued there for more than three decades. In 1992 she founded CityArts for Youth, Providence and co-founded the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in 2001. She was also the recipient of several awards: Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Carol McGovern, RSM Memorial Award, 1998; the Goff Women’s Achievement Award, 2003; Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhode Island Public Health Association, 2008; The Providence Newspaper Guild’s John Kiffney Public Service Award, 2010; YWCA Rhode Island Women of Achievement Award, 2013; and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps Della Strada Award, 2014.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Ann is survived by her eight siblings: Eileen Swopes of Strafford, Missouri; James Keefe of Mattapoisett, Mass.; Mary Blanchet of Indianapolis, Indiana; Michael Keefe of Gorham, Maine; John Keefe of Warren, Mass.; Brian Keefe of Feeding Hills, Mass.; Kathy Keefe of Catskill, NY, and Angela Leslie Keefe of Sydney, Australia. She is survived, too, by her longtime friend and coworker at St. Michael’s Parish, Sister Joyce Flowers, RSM.

 

Sister William Agnes Gillet (Helen)

Sister William Agnes Gillet (Helen), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Holyoke, Mass. on January 13, 2015. A native of Brockton, Mass., she was the daughter of William and Mary (Wilson) Gillet.

Sister William Agnes entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1937 from St. Stephen Parish, Worcester. She graduated from St. Stephen High School and earned A.B. and M.A. degrees from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister ministered in the schools of the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher in Our Lady of Hope, Springfield; Immaculate Conception, West Springfield; Annunciation, Florence; and St. Joseph, North Adams. She served as Principal in Blessed Sacrament School, Greenfield. From 1969-2003 she served in St. Patrick School, Chicopee, first as Principal and then as school Librarian. She retired to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie, Holyoke, MA in 2003.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by several nieces and nephews.

 

Sister Madeline Tiberii (Rita Francis)

Sister Madeline Tiberii (Rita Francis), 74, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on January 13, 2015 in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Holyoke, Mass. Born in Worcester, Mass. she was the daughter of Frank and Ida Rita (Colognesi) Tiberii.

Sister Madeline entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1958 from St. Joseph Parish, Charlton, Mass. She was graduated from Charlton High School. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, a M.Ed. from Framingham State University, a certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from Campion Renewal Center, Weston, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Center for Religious Development, Cambridge.

Teaching assignments for Sr. Madeline included both St. Joseph Grammar and High School in Pittsfield, St. Joseph Grammar School, North Adams, and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She was Principal of Sacred Heart School in Pittsfield. She served as Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Norwich Conn., and was Headmistress and teacher at the Kowak Catholic Girls’ Secondary School in Tanzania, East Africa. She was Program Director at Campion Renewal Center in Weston, served at House of Peace & Education, Inc. in Gardner, and was an associate at the Center for Religious Development in Cambridge. Most recently she was a spiritual director at Eastern Point Retreat House, Gloucester.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her brother Frank Tiberii of Charlton, Mass., her sisters Katherine Tiberii of North Smithfield, RI, and Carol Kiwak of Wells, ME and many nieces and nephews.

 

Sister Kathleen McGurk (Catherine Mary)

Sister Kathleen McGurk (Catherine Mary), 85, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 64th year, died in Mont Marie Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on December 20, 2014. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Kathryn (Sears) McGurk.

Sister Kathleen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Holyoke. She was graduated from St. Jerome High School, Holyoke and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a M.A. from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, Conn.

In the Diocese of Springfield Sister ministered as teacher at Immaculate Conception School and St. Thomas School, West Springfield; St. Mark School and St. Charles School, Pittsfield. She also served as Pastoral Minister at St. Charles Parish. She served the Congregation as Assistant Mistress of Novices from 1959-1968. She ministered in the Worcester Diocese as Pastoral Minister at St. Paul Human Services, Providence Nursing Home and St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, all in Worcester. She retired to St. Joseph Senior Residence, Mont Marie in 2007.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her brother-in-law Anthony Conlin and by her nieces and nephews Kathy Conlin, Maureen Burns, Shelia Fitzgerald, Ellen Conlin Jackowski, Karen Conlin, Kate Sullivan, William McGurk, David McGurk, Raymond McGurk, Sharon Hood, Geraldine Vale and Barry McGurk, She also leaves several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Raymond, John, William and Mildred McGurk and Mary Conlin. She was also predeceased by her nephews Richard McGurk and Kevin Conlin.

 

Sister Mary Lou Wright (Carmella Marie)

Sister Mary Lou Wright (Carmella Marie), 79, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 63rd year, died at Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on November 24, 2014. A native of Milford, Mass., she was the daughter of Herbert and Carmella (Consoletti) Wright.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Milford. She was graduated from St. Mary High School. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee; a M.S. degree from University of Detroit, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Sister Mary Lou taught one year at Cathedral Grammar School, Springfield, before beginning her graduate studies in biology. She was a member of the faculty at the College of Our Lady of the Elms since 1958. After her retirement in 2008 she continued to teach part-time through spring 2014. Over the years the many grants which she received, totaling over $750,000, made it possible for students to collaborate with her on research which they conducted during the summer and the academic year. Many of these students went on to follow careers in research and teaching themselves. Among her many achievements was the presenting of a paper at the XIII International Congress of Comparative Endocrinology in Yokohama, Japan.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her brothers, Herbert Wright of Milford, George Wright of Harwich Port, Mass., and her sister Florence Wright of Worcester.

 

Sister Maria Edward Farr (Letitia)

Sister Maria Edward Farr (Letitia), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on November 10, 2014. A native of Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Edward and Anna (Gavin) Farr.

Sister Maria Edward entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1937 from St. Charles Parish, Pittsfield. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield. She earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister Maria Edward taught in the schools of the Diocese of Springfield in Holy Family, Our Lady of Hope, and Cathedral High School, Springfield; Blessed Sacrament, Greenfield; St. Mary, Northampton; St. Agnes, Dalton; Catholic Central Elementary and St. Mark, Pittsfield; in the Diocese of Worcester in St. Louis, Webster; Sacred Heart, Gardner and St. Stephen, Worcester. She also served as librarian at St. Mary, Longmeadow and in Developmental Reading at Holy Cross, Springfield and on the staff of the Bureau for Exceptional Children, Pittsfield.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her nephews, nieces and their families, including Kathleen Farr Gariepy of Florida, Maureen Farr Petruzella of Cheshire, Mass. and Carol Farr Chalifoux of Indiana. She was predeceased by her brothers, Donald and John Farr.

 

Sister Mary Dorothy Durett (Brenda)

Sister Mary Dorothy Durett (Brenda), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke on October 29, 2014. She was born in Burlington, Vermont, daughter of Coral and Melvina (LeClair) Durett.

Sister Mary Dorothy entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1937 from St. Joseph Parish, Pittsfield, Mass. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield and earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

In the Diocese of Worcester Sr. Mary Dorothy taught in St. Mary School, Milford and St. Ann School, Worcester. From 1951 to 1980 she taught at St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield. Upon retiring from teaching she became a pastoral minister in St. Joseph Parish, Pittsfield, where she served until 2000.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by several cousins, grandnieces and their families. She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy May Test.

 

Sister Veronica Brown (Sister Maurice Joseph)

Sister Veronica Brown (Sister Maurice Joseph), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center on October 29, 2014. A native of Holyoke, she was the daughter of Maurice and Nora (Fitzgerald) Brown.

Sr. Veronica entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1937 from Holy Rosary Parish, Holyoke. She graduated from Holy Rosary High School and earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. Sister Veronica pursued additional studies at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester; Seton Hall, Orange, N.J.; American International College, Springfield and Stanstead College, Quebec, Canada.

Teaching assignments for Sr. Veronica, all in Massachusetts, included St. Mary’s, Milford; St. Mary’s, Northampton; Sacred Heart, Holyoke and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Hope, Springfield. She taught at Cathedral High School, Springfield from 1959 to 1993, becoming in 2000 one of the first honorees to receive the St. Joseph Medal for her commitment to Cathedral.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her nieces, Noreen Lagimonier of Holyoke, Kathleen Phillips of So. Yarmouth, Theresa Rivest of Ludlow, Mary Lou Krause of So. Hadley, Marian Kirley of Maryland and several other nieces and nephews and their families. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Brown of Holyoke and Stella Brown of Chicopee. She was predeceased by her eight siblings, Sr. Gertrude Brown, SSJ; Mary Clancy; and Francis, Maurice, Vincent, Stephen, Joseph and Thomas Brown.

 

Sister Eileen Ryan (Margaret Catherine)

Sister Eileen Ryan (Margaret Catherine), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on October 13, 2014. She was born in Stamford, Conn., daughter of Lawrence and Catherine (McKeon) Ryan. Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1945 from St. Mary Parish, Newport, RI. She was graduated from St. Catherine Academy, Newport. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a M.A.T. degree from Assumption College. She also did graduate work at Northwestern, West Virginia and Loyola Universities.

Sister Eileen taught at St. Jerome High School, Holyoke, St. Peter High School, Worcester, and Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket, RI early in her career and at Cathedral High School, Springfield from 1954-1980. Her last teaching assignment was at St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield. She held various staff positions at Mont Marie, Holyoke including assistant director of the Conference Center and director of Companion Ministry.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by her sister, Catherine M. Olson of Wrentham, Mass. and by her nephews, Robert Olson of West Newbury, Mass.; Steven Olson of Colebrook, NH; and Christopher Olson of Neenah, WI. She was predeceased by her sister, Margaret Ryan, SSJ.

 

Sister Anne Marie Cecile Poitras (Sr. Francis Regis)

Sister Anne Marie Cecile Poitras (Sr. Francis Regis), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke Mass. on September 28, 2014. A native of Fall River, Mass., she was the daughter of Joseph and Marie Louise (Paradis) Poitras. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of LePuy at Fall River from St. Anne Parish, Fall River, in 1947. She graduated from Novitiate High School in Fall River and earned a B.A from Annhurst College, Woodstock, Conn. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two Communities merged in 1974.

Sister Cecile served as teacher at St. Roch’s, St. Jean Baptiste, and St. Matthew Schools, all in Fall River; St. Joseph School and St. Mary’s Home, both in New Bedford; St. Michael School, Ocean Grove and St. Joseph School, Vinton, LA. She spent many years in Louisiana working with students with behavior disorders before becoming a pastoral assistant at St. Patrick Church, Ferriday, LA. She was pastoral assistant at St. Clement Church, Plaquemine, LA and later ministered in Senior Services at St. John the Evangelist Church in Plaquemine where she worked until a few months before her death.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sisters Lillian Marie Poitras of Fall River and Antoinette Marie Aubin of Westport, Mass. She was predeceased by her Sisters Beatrice Marie Chretien, Louise Marie Vick, and by her brothers Frank Esdras Poitras, Louis Joseph Poitras, and Joseph Henri Poitras.

 

Sister Patricia Ritchie (Mary Albert)

Sister Patricia Ritchie (Mary Albert), 77, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield for 59 years, died August 21, 2014 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Mary F. (McIntyre) (Ritchie) Seymour and Albert Ritchie, who died in 1942, and the stepdaughter of George A. Seymour.

Sister Patricia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish, Springfield. She was graduated from Cathedral High School and earned an A.B. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and an M.A. Ed. from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

Her teaching positions included Holy Trinity School, Greenfield and St. Peter’s School, Worcester. She was Coordinator of the Mont Marie Conference Center and later secretary in the Social Security and Medical Insurance Office at Mont Marie.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her twin brother Philip and his wife Joan of Warwick, RI; by her sisters-in-law Barbara Ritchie of Springfield and Dorothy Ritchie of Feeding Hills, Mass.; and by her nephew David of Springfield. She was predeceased by her brother Albert Ritchie.

 

Sister Maria Louise Loudon (Shirley)

Sister Maria Louise Loudon (Shirley), 91, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield for 72 years, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, on August 7, 2014. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Raymond and Emma (Tagliabue) Loudon.

Sister Maria Louise entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke. She was graduated from Sacred Heart High School and earned an A.B. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee. Later in life, Sister also received education in nursing science, earning a LPN at Dean Vocational School, Holyoke, an Associate in Science in Nursing at Springfield Technical Community College, and a BSN at the College of Our Lady of the Elms.

Sister Maria Louise taught in the Diocese of Springfield at Holy Family School and Cathedral High School, Springfield and St. Joseph School, Pittsfield. She served as a nurse at Providence Hospital, Holyoke; Municipal Hospital, Springfield; Springfield Visiting Nurses Association, Jewish Nursing Home, and Child Care in Home and Interim Care, Springfield. She was a Clinical Instructor at the College of Our Lady of the Elms. She retired in 2000.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister-in-law Cecilia Loudon of Holyoke and a niece and nephews and their families. She is predeceased by her two brothers, Reid and David.

 

Sister Bette Gould (Helen Charles)

Sister Bette Gould (Helen Charles), 75, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, in her 57th year of religious life, died in Holyoke on June 26, 2014. A native of North Adams, Mass., she was the daughter of Charles and Helen (Toohey) Gould.

Sister Bette entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Francis Parish in North Adams. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, North Adams and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. She earned an M.A. Ed. from Assumption College, Worcester and an M.A. in Pastoral Studies and Theology from Loyola University, Chicago.

Sister served as superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Springfield from 1984 to 2005. Previous to that, she ministered in the schools of the Diocese as a teacher at Holy Trinity, Greenfield and Blessed Sacrament, Holyoke; as both teacher and later principal at St. Joseph High School, North Adams; principal at St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield, and as principal at Our Lady of Hope School, Springfield. She worked at the Christian Education Center in Springfield and as curriculum coordinator for the Diocese of Springfield. In 2005, Sr. Bette began her ministry at East Catholic High School, Manchester Conn. serving for two years as interim principal and until very recently as coordinator of the school’s mentoring program. Sister also served as a Police Commissioner for the city of Springfield, Mass. from 1993 to 1995.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister, Helene Gajda of North Adams, her brother John Gould of Williamstown, Mass. and several nieces and nephews. Sister was predeceased by her brother Richard Gould of Adams, Mass.

 

Sister Emily Kane (Sr. John Mary)

Sister Emily Kane (Sr. John Mary), 91, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph for 73 years, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center on June 4, 2014. A native of Westfield, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Emily (McKay) Kane.

Sister Emily entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Westfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and a M.A. from Assumption College, Worcester, Mass.

Sister Emily taught in the Diocese of Providence at St. Joseph School, Newport, R.I; in the Diocese of Springfield at Cathedral High School and Holyoke Catholic High School; in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Ann High School and St. Stephen High School. She also served in the Worcester Diocesan Office and as director of CCD at St. Patrick Parish, Whitinsville, Mass. She was also pastoral minister at St. Mary Parish, Thorndike, Mass. She served as a tutor at the Gray House in Springfield.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her brother Edward Kane of California.

 

Sister Mary Dominica Gallagher (Catherine)

Sister Mary Dominica Gallagher (Catherine), 102, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died on June 1, 2014 in Mountain View Center, Rutland, Vt. a few days after her 85th anniversary of becoming a Sister of St. Joseph. Born in North Walpole, N.H., she was the daughter of Thomas and Bridget Gallagher.

Sister Dominica entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Vermont from St. Peter’s Parish, North Walpole, N.H. She was educated in the North Walpole schools. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged.

Sister Dominica ministered to her community as cook for many years in St. Michael Convent, Brattleboro; St. Francis Convent, Bennington; St. Charles Convent, Bellows Falls and Mt. St. Joseph Convent, Rutland. Later she served as infirmarian at Mt. St. Joseph Convent, Rutland. In 1991 she retired at St. Joseph Residence where she served as a volunteer visiting the sick in nursing homes.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She also is survived by Pamela Merritt and Alice Heath, both of Rutland, for whom she cared in their young lives. Sister Dominica was predeceased by all ten of her siblings.

 

Sister Mary Anne Nolan (Christopher John)

Sister Mary Anne Nolan (Christopher John), 84, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on May 10, 2014. Born in North Adams, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Anne (Merrigan) Nolan. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Francis Parish, North Adams in 1950 after graduating from St. Joseph High School, North Adams and earning an A. B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

Sister Mary Anne taught in the Diocese of Springfield in Holy Family School, Our Lady of Hope School, and St. Matthew School, Springfield; Holy Rosary School and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Holyoke; St. Thomas School, West Springfield; St. Mary School, Westfield, and Annunciation School, Northampton. In the Diocese of Providence she taught in SacredHeartSchool, Pawtucket and St.Francis School, Warwick. She served on the staff at the College of Our Lady of the Elms and as Pastoral Minister at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Southwick, Mass. For nearly twenty years she was an Editorial Production Associate for the Catholic Communications Corporation, continuing to assist there into the early years of her retirement to Mont Marie.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her nephews John Nolan (Susan) of North Adams, Mass.; William Nolan (Brenda) of Clarksburg, Mass.; her niece Patricia Jerwick (John) of Hagerstown, Maryland; and her sister-in-law Sally Nolan of North Adams. She was predeceased by her brother John Nolan of North Adams and Sr. Therese Nolan of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

 

Sister Dominic Marie Cormier (Anastasia)

Sister Dominic Marie Cormier (Anastasia), 98, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in her 79th year in the Congregation, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass., on April 2, 2014. A native of Milford, Mass., she was the daughter of Dominic and Anastasia (McCann) Cormier.

Sister Dominic Marie received her early education at St. Mary School, Milford and was graduated from St. Mary High School. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee. She taught in the schools of the Worcester Diocese at St. Stephen School, Worcester and St. Joseph School, Leicester; in the Springfield Diocese at Holy Rosary School, Holyoke and in the Providence Diocese at St. Joseph School, Newport and St. Francis School, Warwick. She also served as clerk/receptionist at the Tri-Valley Elder Care Center, Uxbridge, Mass. She became a resident of St. Joseph Retirement Residence at Mont Marie in 1992. In 2004 she became a resident of Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister-in-law Lucy Cormier of Milford, Mass.; her niece, Yvonne Kozlowski of Milford and her nephews Edmund, Paul and Burton Cormier of Northbridge, Mass., Brooksville, Fla., and Bellingham, Mass., respectively. She was predeceased by her brothers, Burton, Joseph and Francis Cormier.

 

Sister Stella Marie Burke (Sister Saint Gregory)

Sister Stella Marie Burke (Sister Saint Gregory), 102, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield for 77 years, died on March 8, 2014 at Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. Born in Laconia, N.H., she was the daughter of Joseph and Roseanna (Auger) Burke.

Sister Stella entered the Sisters of St Joseph of Rutland in 1937 from Sacred Heart Parish, Bennington, Vermont. She became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. Sister was graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Novitiate High School in Rutland, Vermont. She earned her BS degree at Nazareth College, Rochester, N.Y.

Among Sister Stella’s teaching assignments in Vermont were St. Francis de Sales, Bennington; St. Charles, Bellows Falls; St. Michael’s, Brattleboro; St. Mary’s, Fair Haven; St. Peter’s and Mt. St. Joseph, Rutland; Brandon Training School and College of St. Joseph the Provider, where she served on the library staff. In her retirement she resided at Mount St. Joseph, Rutland and then Mont Marie, Holyoke, Mass.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her niece, Janet Rogers of Bennington, Vermont. She was predeceased by her sister, Sr. Ann Francis Burke, and by her brothers Joseph Lionel Burke and Joseph G. “Jim” Burke.

 

Sister Ellen Therese Barry (Ellen Mary)

Sister Ellen Therese Barry (Ellen Mary), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, in her 76th year in the Congregation, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, MA on January 20, 2014. A native of Bellows Falls, VT, she was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Loughlin) Barry.

Sister Ellen Therese entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Vermont in 1938 from St. Charles Parish, Bellows Falls, VT. She became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two communities merged. She was graduated from Bellows Falls High School. She earned an A.B. degree from Regis College, Weston, MA.

Sister taught in Christ the King School and St. Peter School, Rutland, VT and at St. Mary School, Fair Haven, VT. She was at Sacred Heart School, Bennington, VT for close to 30 years, serving as teacher and also as Principal. In her retirement she resided in Bennington, continuing her warm association with former students, colleagues and friends.

In addition to her Sisters in community she is survived by her nephews David Barry of Florida and James Barry of Georgia and by her niece, Judith Bowen of East Dorset, VT. She also leaves her friend and caretaker of many years, Doris Maguire and her family of Bennington, VT.

 

Sister Catherine Van Houten (Richard Anne)

Sister Catherine Van Houten (Richard Anne), 66, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in her 49th year in the community, died on January 12, 2014. Born in Chicago, IL she was the daughter of Richard and Anna (Murphy) Van Houten. Sister Catherine entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Name Parish, Springfield, Mass. She was graduated from Cathedral High School, Springfield. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass., and a M.A. from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn.

Sister Catherine taught at St. Mark’s School, Pittsfield and Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament Schools, Holyoke. She also taught at Holyoke Catholic High School before becoming Principal of St. Matthew School, Indian Orchard. Sister was an Administrator at St. Bridget School, Manchester, Conn. She subsequently served in the Catholic schools of the Bridgeport Diocese as religious educator and librarian. She was a spiritual director, offering private direction, programs and retreats, often in conjunction with Mercy Center at Madison, Madison, Conn. An accomplished potter, Sister Catherine was a member of Wesleyan Potters in Connecticut; she was to become President of the organization in the near future.

In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her siblings, Adrienne Bagnall of Wilmington, N.C., Rita Van Houten of Orlando, Fla., Jon Van Houten of Easthampton, Mass., and Steven Van Houten of Jaffrey, N.H.

 

Sister Sheila McGuirk (Frances Edward)

Sister Sheila McGuirk (Frances Edward), 69, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. on January 2, 2014. A native of Worcester, she was the daughter of Edward and Frances (O’Connor) McGuirk. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Peter Parish, Worcester in 1964.

Sister Sheila was graduated from St. Peter High School, Worcester and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass. and certification in Clinical Pastoral Education from Danvers State Hospital.

Sister ministered to residents in several facilities including Mont Marie, Holyoke; Mercy Hospital, Springfield; Falls Nursing Home, South Hadley; Beaven-Kelly Home, Holyoke; and Spruce Manor Nursing Home and Providence Home Care. She also served at Jericho in Holyoke, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield and The Open Window, Chicopee. From 1971-76 Sr. Sheila had the rank of Airman Basic in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, serving in the medical dispensary at Barnes Municipal Airport, Westfield, Mass.

In addition to her Sisters in community she is survived by many loving cousins.

 

Sister Mary Dooley (Eleanor Maria)

Sister Mary Dooley (Eleanor Maria), 90, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 70th year in the Congregation, died on November 14, 2013 in the Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, MA. Born in Cambridge, MA, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Mary (O’Neil) Dooley.

Sister Mary Dooley entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA from St. Philip Parish, Grafton, MA. Her early education was in the parochial schools of Worcester and she was graduated from St. Stephen High School, Worcester. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA and a M.A. from Assumption College, Worcester. She earned a Ph.D. from the Sorbonne, Paris, France and a Doctor of Divinity from Aquinas Institute, Dubuque, Iowa. She was awarded Honorary Doctorates from American International College, Assumption College, Fitchburg State College and College of Our Lady of the Elms.

Sister Mary taught at St. Joseph High School, North Adams from 1947-1965 and at the College of Our Lady of the Elms from 1968-1971. From 1971-79 she served as President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield and from 1979-1993 as President of the College of Our Lady of the Elms. She also held the office of National President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and was an official delegate to the Installations of Popes John Paul I and John Paul II.

Among the many honors which Sister Mary received were: the Pynchon Award, presented by the Advertising Club of Springfield; the National Human Relations Award by the Connecticut-Western Massachusetts Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews; the Via Veritatis Medal, presented by Elms College; and Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques from the Government of France.

Sister Mary Dooley retired to Mont Marie St. Joseph residence in 2003 and entered Mont Marie Health Care Center in 2004.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister, Eleanor Dooley, SSJ of Holyoke and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Richard and Francis Dooley.

 

Sister Joseph Anne (Mary) Moran

Sister Joseph Anne (Mary) Moran, 95, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on November 2, 2013 at Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Michael and Sarah (McMahon) Moran. Sister Joseph Anne entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA in 1936 from St. Stephen Parish, Worcester. Her early education was at St. Stephen School; she graduated from St. Stephen High School in 1936. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a M.Ed. from Boston College.

Sister Joseph Anne’s teaching assignments were at St. Mary High School, Milford, MA, where she taught modern languages, and the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA, where she was a member of the Modern Language Department. Sister served as Dean of Students (’63-’75), Director of Financial Aid (’75-78) and Registrar (’78-’93) at the College of Our Lady of the Elms.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister, Teresa Moran, SSJ of Pittsfield, MA and by her brothers Joseph Moran and James Moran, both of Worcester, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Anna Patrice (Rita) Moran, SSJ and by her brothers John Moran and Francis Moran.

 

Sister Marion Hurley (Margaret Eugene)

Sister Marion Hurley (Margaret Eugene), 95, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke on November 2, 2013.

A native of Holyoke, MA, she was the daughter of Eugene and Margaret (Hannon) Hurley. Sister Marion entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1936 from St. Jerome Parish, Holyoke.

Her early education was at St. Jerome School and she graduated from St. Jerome High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA. Sister Marion ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher at St. Joseph School, North Adams; as teacher and principal at St. Mary School, Northampton and as principal at St. Jerome High School, Holyoke; she was a teacher in the Diocese of Providence at St. Joseph (Hazard Memorial) School, Newport and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Stephen High School, Worcester and St. Mary, Southbridge.

From 1971-1979 she served on the Executive Board of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She was on the staff of the College of Our Lady of the Elms’ Alumnae Library from 1979-2002; continuing as a volunteer after her retirement. Sister Marion joined the St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in 2005.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister Eleanor Morrissey of Holyoke and her brother Robert Hurley of Deerfield Beach, FL and their families. She was predeceased by her brother Eugene Hurley of Spencer, MA.

 

Sr. Elizabeth Marie Morrissey (Ruth Frances)

Sr. Elizabeth Marie Morrissey (Ruth Frances), 87, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on October 27, 2013 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, MA. Born in Woonsocket, RI she was the daughter of Eugene and Elizabeth (Mahon) Morrissey.

Sister Elizabeth entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Vermont in 1954 from Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Burlington, VT. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. She was graduated from Mt.St. Mary Academy, Burlington, VT, and earned a B.S. degree from Trinity College, Burlington and a M.A. degree from Providence College, Providence, R.I.

Sister Elizabeth taught at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland, VT and at Bennington Catholic High School, Bennington. She also served at the College of St. Joseph the Provider, Rutland as faculty member, and Director of Admissions, 1964-65; Academic Dean, 1965-72; and in Public Relations and Development, 1978-82. Sister Elizabeth held several positions of service in her Congregation: Director of Postulants, two terms as President, and Director of the co-member program. She retired to St. Joseph Residence, Rutland in 2004.

In addition to her Sisters in Community, she is survived by her sister Grace Morrissey of Burlington, VT, and by two brothers, Eugene Morrissey of Burlington and John Morrissey of Stowe, VT and their families.

 

Sister Doris Graves (Sr. Maria Vincent)

Sister Doris Graves (Sr. Maria Vincent), 81, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, MA on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Born in Millbury, MA, she was the daughter of William and Irene (Callaghan) Graves.

Sister Doris entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA in 1950 from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Millbury. She graduated from Millbury Public Schools and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA. She also pursued further studies in mathematics at Boston College, Fordham University, University of Massachusetts and Purdue University.

Sister Doris served for 45 years as a teacher in the Mathematics Department of Cathedral High School, Springfield, MA. After her retirement in 1997, she worked in the Mont Marie Development Office as an assistant.

In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by her siblings Edith Eileen Eramo and Albert Leroy Graves, both of Millbury, MA; Margaret Mary Dahlstrom of North Grafton, MA; and James Charles Graves of Sutton, MA. She was predeceased by her siblings William Herbert Graves, Maurice Bernard Graves, John Terrence Graves, Patricia Ann Thomas, and Janet Irene Graves.

 

Sister Andrea Levesque (Sr. St. George)

Sister Andrea Levesque (Sr. St. George), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, MA on October 1, 2013. A native of Fall River, MA she was the daughter of George and Maria (Ledoux) Levesque.

Sister Andrea graduated from Jesus Marie Academy, Fall River and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Fall River in 1934. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield merged in 1974. She earned a B.A. degree and a M.Ed. degree from Rivier College in Nashua, NH.

Sister Andrea ministered in the Fall River Diocese as a teacher at St. Jean Baptiste School and at St. Joseph Prep and as Secretary-Treasurer of St. Joseph Montessori School, Fall River and in St. Joseph School, New Bedford. She also taught in St. Joseph High School, Conway, Arkansas, St.Peter High School, Worcester and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She served as Mistress of Novices for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River for 16 years and also as Director of Education for the Community. She joined the staff of Mont Marie, Holyoke in 1991 and retired in 1999.

 

Sister Margaret E. Walsh (Denis Mary)

Sister Margaret E. Walsh (Denis Mary), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 58th year of religious life, died in Holyoke on August 27, 2013. Born in Northampton, Mass. she was the daughter of Denis and Dora (Glover) Walsh.

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Northampton. Sister graduated from St. Michael High School, Northampton. She received an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, an M.A. from Assumption College, Worcester, and a M.A. from LaSalle University,and a Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from St. Anne’s Hospital, Fall River, Mass.

Sister ministered in the Springfield Diocese as a teacher at Holy Trinity School, Greenfield; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School and Holy Name School, Springfield; Sacred Heart School, and St. Jerome School, Holyoke and Annunciation School, Florence. She served as secretary at the Diocesan Religious Education Office, Springfield. She ministered in the Worcester Diocese as a teacher at St. Peter and St. Peter-Marian Schools and as a Pastoral Associate at St. Patrick Parish, Whitinsville. In the Fall River Diocese she taught at Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro. In 2010, Sister entered the Health Care Center where she continued her outreach ministry to others.

 

Sister Cecile Lafond (formerly known as Sister St. Veronique)

Sister Cecile Lafond (formerly known as Sister St. Veronique), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield for 75 years, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, on July 8, 2013. She was born in Fall River, Mass., the daughter of Rodolphe and Florestina (Lavellee) Lafond.

Sister Cecile entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River from St. Matthew Parish, Fall River. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Fall River merged with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1974. She was graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, Fall River and earned a B.A. degree from Rivier College, Nashua, N.H and a M.A. degree from Assumption College, Worcester, MA. She was awarded a fellowship by the French government for one year’s study in Paris; she was also awarded a Fulbright travel grant by the United States government. She studied at I’Institut Catholique and the Sorbonne, Paris, France. Sister also did graduate work at Tufts University and the University of Ottawa, Canada.

Sister Cecile taught in the Diocese of Fall River at St. Jean Baptiste and Blessed Sacrament Schools, Fall River and St. Michael School, Swansea, Mass. For many years she was an instructor at St. Joseph Prep and St. Joseph Teachers’ Institute in Fall River. She served as librarian and instructor at Divine Heart Seminary, Donaldson, Texas in the early seventies. She was on the administrative staff of St. Louis School, Webster, Mass. Sister joined St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in 1992 where she was the coordinator of the Retirement and Formation libraries.

 

Sister Martina Anne Larkin (Mary Rita)

Sister Martina Anne Larkin (Mary Rita), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 58th year, died April 15, 2013 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke. A native of Great Barrington, MA, she was the daughter of Martin and Anna (O’Neil) Larkin.

Sister Martina entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Peter’s Parish, Great Barrington after having been a member of the faculty of Searles High School, Great Barrington for several years. She was graduated from Searles High School and earned a B. A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, MA. She also pursued graduate studies in Latin at Georgetown University and Boston College.

In the Diocese of Worcester Sr. Martina taught at St. Peter High School, Worcester; St. Mary High School, Milford; and St. Mary High School, Southbridge and in the Rhode Island Diocese at Sacred Heart High School, Pawtucket. In the Diocese of Springfield she taught at St. Mary High School, Westfield; and St. Jerome High School, Holyoke as well as serving as librarian at St. Mary’s and Holyoke Catholic High School. She retired to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie, Holyoke where she served on the support staff of the Child Care Center and the Office of Peace and Justice.

 

Sister Julia Marie Walsh (Teresa Ann)

Sister Julia Marie Walsh (Teresa Ann), 93, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Holyoke, Mass. on December 3, 2012. A native of Rutland, Vt. she was the daughter of the late James and Julia (McNamara) Walsh.

Sister Julia was graduated from Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland, and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland in 1943 from Christ the King Parish, Rutland. She became a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of St. Joseph the Provider, Rutland and a M.A. from Boston College. Sister Julia taught at St. Peter School, Christ the King School and Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland. She was a member of the faculty and administration at the former St. Joseph College in Bennington, VT and served as President from 1966-70. She later served as executive secretary to the president of the Congregation and administrative assistant in the Guidance Office of Mt. St. Joseph Academy. Sister retired to Mt. St. Joseph Convent, Rutland and moved to Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke in 2005.

 

Sister Louise Marie Assad, (Agnes)

Sister Louise Marie Assad (Agnes), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on November 11, 2012 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Mass. A native of Worcester, she was the daughter of the late John M. and Louise (Nader).

Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 1935 from Our Lady of the Mercy Parish, Worcester. She received her early education at Sacred Heart School, Worcester and was graduated from Commerce High School, Worcester, in 1934. She earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and an M.A. degree there in 1957. She received State Certification as a Remedial Reading Teacher in 1974.

Among Sister Louise’s teaching assignments were the following schools: St. Stephen, Worcester, Sacred Heart, Holyoke, Holy Family, Springfield, Sacred Heart, Pawtucket, RI, St. Mary, Southbridge. She returned to St. Stephen, Worcester for her final teaching years. Sister retired at Mont Marie, Holyoke in 1989 where she made beautiful crocheted spreads for the Annual Craft Festival.

 

Sister Gertrude Anna Clark, (Marguerita Maria)

Sister Gertrude Anna Clark (Marguerita Maria), 91, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died on September 12, 2012 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke. A native of Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Gilman R. and Anna G. (Burke) Clark.

Sister Gertrude entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1947 from St. Joseph Parish, Pittsfield, having graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1939 and Berkshire Business School in 1941. She completed her business training at Chicago University Extension. For many years she worked in the Business Office at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass. In 1971 she joined the Mont Marie support staff where she provided invaluable service to the Congregation.

 

Sister Mary Fidelis McLee (Margaret Elizabeth)

Sister Mary Fidelis McLee (Margaret Elizabeth), 88, died on July 28, 2012 at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of William and Mary (Kenny) McLee.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland, VT on September 8, 1943 and made her final profession on August 24, 1949. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. Sister Mary Fidelis ministered during her nearly 69 years of religious life in Vermont, Arizona and Florida.

 

Sister Patricia Anne Dolan

Sister Patricia Anne Dolan, 80, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 43rd year, died on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Rutland, Vt. Born in Rutland, she was the daughter of John and Caroline (Dye) Dolan.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Vermont in 1969 from Christ the King Parish, Rutland. She became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in 2001 when the two Communities merged. She attended Christ the King School and was graduated from Rutland High School. She attended Mary Washington College, University of Virginia and graduated from The College of St. Joseph the Provider in Rutland.

Sister served at Christ the King School, Rutland as teacher and as resource aide for nearly thirty years. Sr. Patricia was an avid sportswoman, having worked in the Rutland Recreation Department for 18 years prior to entering the Sisters of St. Joseph. She also received awards from the Regional and Vermont State Poetry Contest and National Education Contest for several years in succession.

 

Sister Alicia Maria (Elizabeth) Fairfield

Sister Alicia Maria (Elizabeth) Fairfield, 90, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in her 71st year, died on May 29, 2012 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of Frederick F. and Mary (Donahue) Fairfield. Sister Alicia attended elementary and secondary school in Melbourne, Fla., and then entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, Massachusetts from St. Mary Parish, Southbridge.

For over 50 years her ministry was to provide service to her Sisters in community, first as cook and later as a certified nursing assistant. She earned a Certificate in Advanced Food Service Studies and served at the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and at the former Motherhouse of the Community in Springfield, and at Mont Marie and Mary Immaculate, both in Holyoke. After successfully completing the Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program, Sister served at Mont Marie Health Care Center. In 1993 she retired at Sr. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie. She became a resident of Mont Marie Health Care Center in 2005.

 

Sister Anna James Kilfeather, (Margaret)

Sister Anna James Kilfeather, (Margaret), 96, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 78th year, died on April 21, 2012 in the Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke, Massachusetts. A native of Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Hannah (O’Neill) Kilfeather. Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Charles Parish, Pittsfield. She earned A.B. and M.A. degrees from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.

Sister Anna James taught in the schools of the Springfield Diocese in Sacred Heart, Holyoke, St. Joseph, North Adams, and St. Mary, Northampton; in the Worcester Diocese in St. Louis, Webster and in the Providence Diocese in Sacred Heart, Pawtucket. She served as the assistant treasurer, the secretary-treasurer and treasurer of the Congregation over a period of twelve years. She also worked in the Finance Department of the Marian Center in Holyoke and in her retirement she assisted as support staff at Mont Marie.

 

Sister Richard Francis Doran, (Josephine C.)

Sister Richard Francis Doran, (Josephine C.), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 71st year, died on April 20, 2012 in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke. A native of Worcester she was the daughter of the late John and Josephine (Hanley) Doran.

Sister received her elementary and secondary education at Sacred Heart Academy, Worcester. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Anne Parish, Worcester. She earned a B.A. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and pursued graduate studies at Wellesley College, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the University of Rhode Island. Sister taught at St. Thomas School, West Springfield and at Cathedral High School, Springfield for many years and was very active as a teacher in parish religious education. For several years she was the director of Summer Vacation School at Goose Bay Air Force Base, Labrador, Canada. After her retirement from school, she joined the staff of the Development Office at Mont Marie, Holyoke. She retired to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie in 2003.

 

Sister Edward Maria Sharron, (Elizabeth)

Sister Edward Maria Sharron, (Elizabeth), 87, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 71st year in the Congregation, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, Mass. on March 6, 2012. A native of North Adams, she was the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Moore) Sharron.

Sister Edward Maria entered the Congregation from St. Francis Parish, North Adams. She was graduated from St. Joseph High, North Adams and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, Mass.

In the Diocese of Springfield Sister Edward Maria ministered as a teacher at Holy Name, Cathedral Grammar and Holy Family Schools in Springfield; at St. Thomas School, West Springfield and St. Joseph School, Pittsfield. She taught in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Mary School, Milford. She served on the parish support staffs at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish and Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield and at the Bishop’s Residence. Sister retired in 2004 and became a resident of Mont Marie in 2007.

 

Sister Mary Ann Corley, (Margaret Joseph)

Sister Mary Ann Corley, (Margaret Joseph), 88, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield in her 56th year, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke on February 14, 2012. She was born in County Doone, Ireland, the daughter of John and Margaret (Gorman) Corley. Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from the former Holy Rosary Parish, Holyoke, having graduated from Holy Rosary High School. She earned an AB degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a M.Ed. from Boston University.

In the Diocese of Worcester Sister Mary taught in St. Ann High School. In the Springfield Diocese she taught at St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield; St. Joseph High School, North Adams and Holyoke Catholic High School where she served for thirty years. She retired in 2000 and became a member of the St. Joseph Retirement Residence in 2004. In 2005 she became a member of Mont Marie Health Care Center. Her love of music continued all her life.

 

Sister Margaret James McGrath, (Marguerite)

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)

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.