Maryknoll, NY: Sister Nuncia St. Pierre died on April 7, 2025 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 96 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 79 years.
On August 4, 1928 Nuncia Rose St. Pierre was born in Baton Rouge, LA to Rose Compagne and Paul E. St Pierre. She had two brothers and two sisters; her brother Albert and her nieces and nephew survive her.
From 1942-1946 Sister Nuncia attended St Joseph’s Academy, Baton Rouge LA. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at the University of Seattle School of Nursing Providence Hospital in 1953 in Seattle. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Maryknoll, NY on October 5, 1946 from St. Agnes Parish, Baton Rouge, LA. She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on April 6, 1949 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on April 6, 1952 in Seattle, WA.
In 1953, she received her first mission assignment to Tanganyika, East Africa. She was assigned to Kowak, Musoma Diocese. This was the first foundation of Maryknoll Sisters in Africa. Here she did medical work, learned Kiswahili and some medical terms in the local language. She also studied midwifery from Maryknoll Sister, Mary Reese. Not long after arrival, Nuncia was assigned to Nyegina Mission Dispensary from 1953 to 1958. In 1959 she was at the Rosanna Mission Dispensary where she ran the Maternal Child Clinic along with clinic services to the villages around the mission she served this mission until 1974.
Nuncia returned to Maryknoll, NY in 1974 for congregational services to Bethany Health Service Home. She was there for two years caring for the older and sick sisters. In 1976 she was assigned to Shinyanga Diocese, Mwamapalala Mission dispensary Mary Mahoney Clinic. She was able to do outreach for Maternal Child Health in a very rural area where there were no facilities or hospitals.
In 1979, Nuncia took some courses at Maryknoll School of Theology along with assisting in the Housekeeping department. She also took a CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) Program at Central Islip, NY. She had a great desire to do some pastoral ministry when she returned to Tanzania. This came true in 1981 when she returned to Tanzania. She was welcomed to join a pastoral team in Chanjale Parish Same/Moshi Diocese.
In 1985, Nuncia took her renewal and volunteered as a nurse at the center in the Congregation Health Unit. Here she was able to assist the sisters who came back from mission and those living at the Center with their health needs. In 1987, she returned to Musoma once again and worked at the Makoko Family Center Clinic. The Center had courses for the families. They would come for one month of study in scripture, spirituality and family life. Nuncia would look after their health needs.
In 1995, Nuncia recognized that her strength was waning and asked to be sent to the World Section House in Nairobi, Kenya, where she could be of assistance to sisters coming and going for medical appointments or rest.
In 1996 Sister returned to Maryknoll, NY due to failing health. After a short stay at the Center she requested to be assigned to Monrovia, CA in 1997. Here she did volunteer work. In 2011 Sister Nuncia was assigned to the Chi Rho Community at Maryknoll Sisters Center NY and then to the Eden Community in 2021 where she took part fully in the community activities. She loved to tell stories; she had a wonderful memory and a keen sense of history.
Funeral Services:
A Vespers Service was held on May 5, 2025 for Sister Nuncia St. Pierre at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.
A Mass of Resurrection was held on May 6, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.