Maryknoll, NY: Sister Frances Calcaterra, M.M. died on April 13^th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She had been a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years. Frances was born in Highland Park, MI on March 20^th, 1931 to Catherine (Loche) Calcaterra and Angelo Calcaterra. She had one sister, Dolores who was also her twin.

Frances attended Blessed Sacrament High School in Detroit, MI from 1945-1949. Following her graduation, she attended Marygrove College also in Detroit, MI from 1949 – 1950.

She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Valley Park, MI on February 1^st, 1951. She made her First Vows on September 8^th, 1953 at Valley Park, MO and her Final Vows on September 8^th, 1959 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

From 1953-1957, Sister Frances did Congregational Service at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY while she continued her studies at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center). In 1957, she earned a Bachelor in Education Degree.

Sister Frances then began her teaching career at the Transfiguration Parish School in Chinatown, NYC from 1957-1966. She was then assigned to the Maryknoll High School in Punahou, Hawaii to teach Theology and engaged in student counseling. There, she also earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling at the University of Hawaii in 1973. From 1972-1979, she remained at Maryknoll High school to serve as Guidance Director/Counselor and continued teaching Theology.

In 1979, Frances moved to Waimanalo, HI where she worked in a program focused on traditional Hawaiian culture and values for four years.

In 1982, she returned to Berkley, MI to engage in family ministry, caring for her elderly parents. During this time, she also worked at Marian High School in Birmington, MI as a Guidance Counselor until 1991.

In 1993, Sister Frances became a member of the Maryknoll Sisters U.S. Eastern Region and remained a member until 2012. During that time, she continued to engage in student counseling and also did various volunteer work.  She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 2016 to retire.

Funeral Services: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, funeral services will be scheduled for a date in the future when group gatherings are deemed safe. Sister Frances’s family and our community remember her spirit in prayer during this difficult time.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Patricia Alice Noble, M.M. died on April 4^th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 95 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 72 years.

Patricia was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on May 6^th, 1924 to Minnie Mae (Bartels) Noble and Edward Franklin Noble. She had one brother, Edward who has predeceased her.

Patricia attended Millcreek High School in Erie, PA from 1938-1942. Following her high school graduation, she attended college at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA from 1942 – 1944. She then transferred to Villa Maria College, Erie, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English in 1945.

On September 6^th, 1947, Patricia entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and made her First Vows on March 7^th, 1950 also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. After making her First Vows, she received her first mission assignment to Honolulu, HI. There, she taught 7^th grade at St. Anthony School until 1954.  While on mission in Honolulu, she made her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1953 and was then assigned to Maryknoll High School in Punahou, HI to teach English and History until 1956.

In 1956, Sister Patricia relocated to the Philippines where she taught English at Maryknoll College in Quezon City for four years. In 1960, she returned to the United States to further her education and study at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. There, she earned a Master’s Degree in English and Philosophy in 1962. She returned to the Philippines after earning her Degree to teach English and History in various different schools until 1964.

Sister Patricia then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll NY to teach English at Mary Rogers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center until 1969. For the next ten years, she worked in several different departments at the Maryknoll Sisters Center: Congregational Services, Housekeeping and Data Processing. In 1980, she was appointed as the Maryknoll Sisters Library Administrator; during this time, she also took classes at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. In 1982, she earned a Master of Science Degree in Library and Information Science.

In 1988, Sister Patricia retired to the Maryknoll Sisters residence in Monrovia, CA, but still remained an active volunteer. From 1989-2003, she assisted in the setup of the Library of the Peace and Justice Center of Southern California in Los Angeles. From 2001-2006, she worked as a volunteer at the Los Angeles Arboretum: one year as an assistant in the Arboretum Library and six years as assistant in the herb garden. From 1988 – 2006, Sister Patricia was in charge of the two libraries at the Maryknoll Sisters residence in Monrovia

In 2006, Sister Patricia returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work in the Sisters Photo Library.

Funeral Services: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, funeral services will be scheduled for a date in the future when group gatherings are deemed safe. Sister Patricia’s family and our community remember her soul in prayer during this difficult time.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Rose Christopher McKeegan, M.M. died on April 2^nd, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 89 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 70 years!

Rose Christopher was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 3^rd, 1930 to Elizabeth (Quinn) McKeegan and Joseph McKeegan. She had three brothers: John, Daniel and Joseph and one sister: Elizabeth Ann. She is survived by her sister.

From 1944-1948, Rose Christopher attended St. Joseph Commercial High School in Brooklyn, NY. Following graduation, she worked as a typist at the New York Telephone Company for two years. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on September 6^th, 1950 from (St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Brooklyn, NY). She made her First Vows on March 7^th, 1953 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1959 also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

From 1955-1959, Sister Rose Christopher earned a Bachelor of Education Degree from Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY).  While studying for her degree, she worked at the Maryknoll Seminary building across the street in the kitchen. She was then assigned as the Supervisor of the laundry room at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

In 1959 after earning her Degree, Sister Rose Christopher received her first overseas mission assignment to the Bolivia – Peru Region. She studied the Spanish language in Cochabamba, Bolivia for one year and was then assigned to teach in a high school in Riberalta, Bolivia.  In 1964, Sister Rose Christopher returned to Cochabamba to work at the Maryknoll High School, there she was in charge of the sports program and taught shorthand and English.

From 1972-1976, she was elected as Regional Governing Board Area Coordinator for Cochabamba as well as Regional Bookkeeper

In 1965, Sister Rose Christopher began a new venture, initiating the Girl Scouts Program for the first time ever in Cochabamba! From 1973-1980, she served as President of the Girl Scouts. She was honored for her services and received the

Gold Medal Award by the Girl Scouts for “Outstanding Service to Bolivian Youth” in 1992.

She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll NY for a brief period to engage in Congregational Services from 1980-1982. However, at the end of that year she returned to Cochabamba, Bolivia to resume teaching at Maryknoll High School and served as Coordinator of Religious Education in both the grade school and high school. She also continued working with the Girl Scouts Program until 1999.

From 1999-2014, Sister Rose Christopher remained in Cochabamba as a member of the Santa Ana Parish.  There, she served as Principal of Santa Ana de Cala Cala School and served as Administrator of Dispensaria (the Parish clinic). In 2016, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire.

Sister Rose Christopher McKeegan’s body was cremated and interred in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY on April 4^th, 2020. 

Funeral Services will be scheduled for a date in the future when group gatherings are deemed safe, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Sister Rose Christopher’s family and our community remember her soul in prayer during this difficult time.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Madeleine Giusto, M.M. died on March 30^th, 2020 at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, NY. She was 79 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 51 years.

Madeleine was born on May 27^th, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to Margaret (Pinscak) Giusto and Thomas Giusto. She had three brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her brother Donald Giusto and her sisters, Diane Winans and Jacqueline Maslow.

From 1954-1958, Madeleine attended high school at St. Louis Academy in Chicago, IL. Following graduation, she enrolled in Roseland Community Hospital School for Nurses in Chicago, IL. In 1961, she earned her Registered Nurse Diploma and worked at the Hospital School until 1962.  She then moved to Reno, NV and worked at the Washoe Medical Center until 1968.

On September 7^th, 1968 Madeleine entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in St. Louis, MO (from St. Thomas Parish, Reno, NV).  She received her first overseas mission assignment to South Korea during her second year of Formation as a Maryknoll Sister. While in South Korea, she made her First Profession of Vows on July 16^th, 1971 as well as her Final Profession of Vows on July 27^th, 1975. Sister Madeleine’s first mission assignment in South Korea was in Jeung Pyong, there she served as a clinic nurse and ministered to the poor/sick. She also acted as interpreter and English conversation teacher.

In 1972, Sister Madeleine returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She served as Staff Nurse at Bethany House (the Maryknoll Sisters Nursing Home at the time) from 1973 – 1974. In 1975, she returned to Seoul, South Korea to resume her studies of the Korean language. While she was studying, she also worked as a Public Health Nurse at Samyul in Kyung Saang, Puk Do and served as a member of a Community Health Team until 1978.  That same year, she moved to So Rok Do to care for patients with Hansen Disease until 1984. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve another term as Staff Nurse in the Sisters Nursing Home. In February of that year, she once again returned to Kwangju, South Korea where she was involved in a student ministry until 1988.

From 1988-1992, Sister Madeleine was called back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY serving as Staff Nurse in the Sisters Nursing Home. She was then assigned to the Maryknoll Mission Education Department’s Mid-West area from 1992-1994.  After that, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as Staff Nurse for one year in the Sisters nursing Home.

On February 1^st, 1997 Sister Madeleine returned to Kwangju, South Korea for the final time to serve as a visiting nurse until 2000. She also taught English classes to university students and did volunteer work at St. John of God Clinic and Hospice Program.

In 2001, she returned to the Sisters Center where she engaged in Congregational Support Services and in the Outpatient Clinic until 2002. She was then appointed as Hospitality Coordinator of the Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute.

Sister Madeleine retired in 2004 at the Maryknoll Sisters House in Monrovia, CA, but still remained an active volunteer. She became involved in several different volunteer projects: working with the Blind community in Los Angeles; participating in community service in the Monrovia Civic Communities; and working at Santa Anita Family Service Center.

On December 1^st, 2015 she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she joined the Chi Rho Community of semi-retired Sisters.

Funeral Services: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, funeral services will be scheduled for a date in the future when group gatherings are deemed safe. Sister Madeleine’s family and our community remember her soul in prayer during this difficult time.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Veronica Mary Martin, M.M. died on March 16^th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She had just celebrated her 100^th birthday a few months ago and was a Maryknoll Sister for 78 years! She was born in Philadelphia, PA to Catherine V. (Hopkins) Martin and John Patrick Martin; she received the baptismal name Anne Helen. She had four brothers and five sisters, all of whom have pre-deceased her.

Anne attended John W. Hallahan Girls High School, in Philadelphia, PA. Following her graduation in 1937, she enrolled in Pierce Business College for one year. She then worked in the U.S. Census Department in Washington, D.C. as a clerk until October, 1941.

Anne entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on December 8^th, 1941 (from St. Monica Parish, Philadelphia, PA). She received the religious name Sister Veronica Mary.  In 1944, she made her First Profession of Vows on June 30^th at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on the same date in 1947, also at the Sisters center.

From 1943-1947, Sister Veronica attended classes at Maryknoll Teachers College, Maryknoll, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree. In 1947 after graduating, she received her first overseas mission assignment to Hong Kong where she taught at Maryknoll Convent School. In October of that same year, she was transferred to Hawaii to serve as assistant at a Maryknoll Pre-school.

In 1948, Sister Veronica Mary returned to the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she served her community for the next 48 years as clerk and typist: in the Direct Mail Office, the Congregational Archives, and as a Post Office clerk in the Maryknoll Post Office.

She then retired, but remained an active volunteer at the Maryknoll Sisters Center from 1987-2004.

Sister Veronica Mary had generously donated her body to science, but due to the current global situation with the Coronavirus, the New York medical College is not accepting bodies at this time. The cremated ashes will be buried in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery.

A Vesper Service and a Memorial Mass for Sister Veronica Mary Martin will be scheduled at a later date.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Joan Marie Berninger, M.M. died on February 10^th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 86 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 66 years.

She was born in LaSalle, IL to Lillian (Funfsinn) Berninger and John Berninger.  She had two brothers and three sisters: John, Michael, Janet, Lynne, and Sally.

Joan attended high school at the Academy of Our Lady in Peoria, IL from 1947 -1951. She then worked as a secretary and parish organist/piano accompanist before entering the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate on September 2^nd, 1953 (from St. Bernard Parish, Peoria, IL).  She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1956 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1962, also at the Sisters Center.

In 1958, Sister Joan attended classes at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the Sisters property in Maryknoll, NY); she received a Bachelor’s of Education Degree in 1962.  She continued her studies at Manhattanville College in Harrison, NY and received a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies and Theology in 1967. She then attended New Mexico State University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education in 1987. Other significant studies over the years included Buddhism, Bible as literature, and language study in Portuguese and Spanish.

From 1956-1967, she served at the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY working in the administration office and teaching art at Maryknoll Teachers College.

Sister Joan was then assigned to St. Anthony School in Wailuku, HI. There, she taught religion, art and served as a student counselor until 1977.

In 1978, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and was appointed Director of the Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute until 1981. She then served as Coordinator of the Sisters Center from 1982 -1985.

In 1986, Sister Joan transferred to the Western U.S. Region and taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Las Cruces, New Mexico until 1988, when she was promoted to Principal.  She then served as the first Supervisor of Catholic Elementary Schools in the Las Cruces Diocese from 1989-2001.

In 2002, Sister Joan returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center to serve as Coordinator of Congregational Services until 2012. In 2013, she relocated to Chicago to join the Integration/Formation Community, but returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center in 2014. She served as a Secretary in the Maryknoll Sisters Nursing Home Care Unit until 2019.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Joan on Wednesday, February 12^th, 2020 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Memorial Mass will follow on Thursday, February 13^th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. 

 Sister Joan has very generously offered her body to science.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Helen Marie Kenny died on January 4^th, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 88 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 70 years.

Helen was born in Manhattan, New York to Margaret (Hanley) Kenny and James Patrick Kenny.  She had three sisters, Peggy, Mary Ellen and Catherine and one brother, James Joseph. All of her siblings except Catherine have predeceased her.

Helen attended high school at St. Agnes Academy in College Point, NY from 1945 -1949. After graduating, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Fathers Seminary in Scranton, PA on September 6^th, 1949 (from Holy Family parish in the Brooklyn Diocese, NY). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1952 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1955, also at the Sisters Center.

After her profession of vows in 1952, Sister Helen worked in the kitchen at both the Maryknoll Fathers Seminary in Scranton, PA and their property in Maryknoll, NY until 1954. She then enrolled in Catherine Laboure School of Nursing in Boston, MA and became a Registered Nurse in 1957. Following graduation, she was assigned to Kansas City, MO to serve as Nursing Supervisor at Queen of the World Hospital.

Sister Helen received her first overseas mission assignment to Hong Kong in 1958, there she studied language and served as a nurse at Kwun Tong Clinic.

In 1961, she was assigned to Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital in Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong, where she was Operating Room and Ward Supervisor until 1964. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY to serve as infirmary nurse until 1966.

From 1966-1967, Sister Helen attended classes at Mary Rogers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center), before transferring to Villanova University, PA where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 1969. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration at Columbia University, NY in 1970.

After furthering her education, Sister Helen returned to Hong Kong once again to serve as Nursing Service Director for 260 patients at Maryknoll Hospital from 1970-1984.

In 1985, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY for congregational service in the Sisters nursing home until 1988, when she returned to Hong Kong to set-up a hospice care unit at Maryknoll Hospital.

In 1990, she began a period of extensive volunteering in Hong Kong for the next several years:

• Honorary Secretary for the Hospice Board and Executive Committee (1990-2000)
• Helped setup the first hospice in Hong Kong (Bradbury Hospice Center) (1997-2005)
• Served on the Board of Governors at Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital and at the Hospital Authority (1998-2011)
• Served as advisor on the Hong Kong Cancer Fund Steering Committee (2006-2012)
• Volunteer with the Keswick Foundation and Make A Wish Foundation (1993-1997)
• Helped reorganized and developed the Palliative Care Unit at Maryknoll Hospital (1998-2000)
• Helped set-up Maggie’s Cancer Caring Center, the first such center outside of the UK. (2006-2008)

In 2012, Sister Helen returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY to retire.

A Vespers service was held for Sister Helen Kenny on January 7^th, 2020 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A funeral Mass followed on Wednesday, January 8^th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Interment followed in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Claire Therese Murphy died on November 30^th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 97 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 78 years.

She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 21^st, 1922 to Mary (McDonald) Murphy and Patrick J. Murphy. She had two sisters, Claire and Mary, both of whom have pre-deceased her.

Claire attended St. John’s High School in North Cambridge, MA and graduated in 1940. After graduating, she attended Burrough’s Business College for one year. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, New York on July 2^nd, 1941 from (St. Peter’s Parish in Cambridge, MA).  At her Reception she received the religious name, Sister Mary Claire Therese. She made her first Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1944 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1947 in Los Angeles, California.

Sister Claire’s first assignment was to a children’s home in a Japanese community in Los Angeles, CA from 1946-1949. She was then assigned to Los Altos, CA to serve on the kitchen staff at Mountain View (the Maryknoll Fathers Junior Seminary). She also taught religious education among migrant workers in the area.

From 1951-1956, she was assigned to Hawaii where she taught in St. Michael’s School in Waialua and St. Anthony’s School in Kalihi. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll NY to study at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the Sisters Center property) receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1959. After earning her degree, Sister Claire was assigned to the Marshall Islands, there she taught in the grade schools in Likiep and Majuro from 1959-1971. She returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 1971 to give Congregational Service in the Development Department.

In 1974, Sister Claire was assigned to Kenya, East Africa, there she taught religious education in Nakuru and served as a staff member at the Sisters dispensary. In 1983, she was assigned to the Sisters Africa World Section House in Nairobi where she served for three years. Sister Claire returned to the U.S. to work in the Congregation’s General Secretariat Office until 1990, when she returned to Nairobi, Kenya to work at the Sisters Africa World Section House.

In 1994, she returned to the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and was placed in charge of the Hospitality Office until 2000.  Sister Claire then responded to a need for volunteers to work as pastoral agents in the Diocese of Duluth, MN at the Indian Reservation in Cloquet. There, she served as Pastoral Assistant at Holy Family Parish until 2007 when she retired.

Sister Claire generously donated her body to science.

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Claire Murphy on Tuesday, December 10^th at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Memorial Mass will follow on Wednesday December 11^th at 11:00 a.m. also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Mary Powers died on November 22^nd, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 102 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.

She was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on January 23^rd, 1917 to Irene (Moffitt) Powers and Ambrose A. Powers. She had one sister, Eustelle and one brother, Ambrose; both have pre-deceased her.

From 1931-1934, Mary attended B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River, MA. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate located in Maryknoll, New York on September 7^th, 1942.  At her Reception she received the religious name, Sister Mary Ambrose Irene. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1945 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1948, also at the Sisters Center.

In 1944, Sister Mary began her studies at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center) and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1948. After graduating, she received her first teaching position at St. Anthony’s School in the Bronx, N.Y, where she taught 7^th grade.

In 1949, she was assigned to Hawaii to teach Grades 7 and 8 in Kalihi – Kai, Punahou and Wailuku until 1967. From 1968-1970, Sister Mary served as Principal of St. Anthony’s Elementary School and Coordinator of the St. Anthony Convent in Kalihi-Kai. In 1971, she was appointed Principal at St. John the Baptist School in Honolulu, where she served for 5 years before returning to the Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY.  She remained at the Sisters Center for Congregational Service from 1976-1981; during these years she worked in the Treasury Department and served as Supervisor of Direct Mail in the Development Department.

In 1982, she returned to Hawaii once again to serve as Regional Planning Coordinator and Guidance Counselor at Maryknoll High School in Honolulu until 1984. Sister Mary then became involved in community service and served as Project Director of RESPECT (an Interfaith Volunteer Program serving the elderly) until 1996.

She retired in Honolulu in 1997, but remained an active volunteer in the community. In 2009, Sister Mary returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Mary on Tuesday, November 26 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A funeral Mass will follow on Wednesday, November 27, at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center.

Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Joan Marie Peltier, M.M. died on November 10^th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY.  She had just celebrated her 100^th birthday and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 82 years!

Joan was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 6^th, 1919 to Marie (Hentgen) Peltier and Clarence Peltier. She was the eldest of ten children and is survived by a few of her siblings: Mary Ann, Geraldine, Thomas and John.

From 1934-1937, Joan attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Milwaukee, WI.  After graduating, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on June 10^th, 1937 (from Immaculate Conception Parish in the Diocese of Milwaukee).  At her Reception into the Congregation she received the religious name, Sister Mary Kateri. Later after Vatican Council II, she returned to her baptismal name. She made her First Profession of Vows on January 6^th, 1940 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY; and then her Final Vows also at the Sisters Center on January 6^th, 1943.

In 1939, Sister Joan began her studies at Maryknoll Teachers College, which was located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. In 1943, she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree.

That same year, she was assigned to Riberalta, Bolivia to do pastoral and catechetical work, while studying the Spanish language. Sister Joan was one of the first two Sisters assigned to Bolivia, this was a new mission for Maryknoll at that time.

In 1946, she moved to Cobija, Bolivia where she served as a religion teacher at one of the newly built local schools. She remained in Bolivia, but transferred to Guayaramarin in 1952, where she was appointed as Regional Superior of the Bolivia-Peru Region until 1966.

In 1967, Sister Joan was temporarily assigned back to the U.S. to teach 8^th grade in San Juan Capistrano, CA, before returning to South America in May of that same year. This time she was assigned to Lima and Arequipa, Peru, doing catechetical work in the public schools and helping establish daycare centers for the children of field workers. She remained in Peru until 1971.

In 1972, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY to serve as the Food Service Liaison in the Kitchen and volunteered in the Congregational Research Department until 1975.

From 1975-1985, Sister Joan transferred to Breckenridge, TX to do pastoral work and serve as Assistant Pastor in five rural towns. Her duties included conducting liturgical ceremonies, preaching, religious education with adults and children, and working with churches of other denominations.

She then relocated to St. Louis, MO to work with the physically challenged until 1990. Her next assignment was in Chicago, IL to perform regional clerical services until 1993.

For the last time, Sister Joan returned to Bolivia in 1994. She spent six years assisting with regional administration duties at the Maryknoll Sisters house there.

In 1997, she returned to the U.S., staying at the Maryknoll House in West Haven, CT and then the Sisters house in Yonkers, NY. She was an active volunteer involved in local ministries, including the Maryknoll Affiliates Subway Chapter in NYC.  In 2009, at the age of 90, Sister Joan retired.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Joan Peltier on Thursday November 14^th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. 

A Mass of Resurrection will follow on Friday, November 15^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. 

 Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.