Sister Joanne Bastien, M.M. Maryknoll Sister for 69 Years, Dies

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Joanne Bastien died at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on January 3rd, 2023. She was 91 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years.

Joanne was born in St. Cloud, MN on October 17th, 1931 to William Bastien and Magdalena (Arendt) Bastien. She had one brother, Joseph and three sisters, Florence, Marjorie and Rose; she is survived by her brother.

In 1949, Joanne graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School and then attended St. Catherine College of Nursing, MN from 1949-1952 where she earned an R.N. Certificate. On February 2nd, 1953 she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Valley Park, MO.

Joanne made her First Profession of Vows on September 8th, 1955, in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows on September 8th, 1961 in Hong Kong.

In 1956, Sister Joanne received her first overseas mission assignment to Ceylon (Sri Lanka). However, she was reassigned to Hong Kong in 1957 when the Ceylon government refused to renew visas.

In Hong Kong Sister Joanne first studied language in 1957 and then was teaching and practicing nursing in the Kwun Tong area until 1963. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and was placed on medical leave until 1968.

Sister Joanne relocated to Chicago, Chinatown and was assigned to the Eastern, U.S. Region where she taught at St. Therese’s School until 1981. She once again returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and became a member of the Center Community from 1981-2000. During this time, she served in various roles: volunteered in the Center Library, provided nursing services to Sisters in Rehabilitation and the Pain Management Program and served as Assistant Director of Activities in the Maryknoll Nursing Home.

In 2000, Sister Joanne retired to the Sisters retirement home in Monrovia, CA. She remained in California until 2012 when she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY, where she resided until her death.

Sister Joanne generously willed her body to medical science.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers service was held for Sister Joanne on January 18th at 4:15 P.M. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A  Memorial Mass was held on January 19th at 10:00 A.M., also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.