Maryknoll, NY: Sister Anne Correale, M.M. died on April 4^th, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 93 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 76 years.

On September 27^th, 1930, Anne Veronica Correale was born in Troy, NY to Lillian (Kelly) Correale and Leo J. Correale.  She had one brother, Robert, one sister, Claire, a half-sister, Deborah and a half-brother, Peter. Her sister Claire, sister in law Jeanne, half-sister Deborah, half-brother Peter and her husband Arthur survive her.  Her brother Robert has predeceased her.

From 1944-1948, Anne attended Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY.   She earned her Bachelor of Education Degree from the Maryknoll Teachers’ College in 1954. She then attended the University of Hawaii, receiving her Practical Nursing Certificate in 1974.  Anne entered the Maryknoll Sisters on September 4^th, 1948 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY (from her home parish, St. Patrick in Troy, NY in the Diocese of Albany, NY).  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1951 and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1954 both at the Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY.

In 1954, Sister Anne received her first mission assignment to Kalihi, Hawaii where she served as a fourth grade teacher.  She stayed in Hawaii teaching grades two through six until 1971.  In 1972, she returned to the Maryknoll Sister Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services in the Housekeeping Department for one year. She then returned to Hawaii to utilize her medical skills at St. Francis Hospital in Honolulu, for the next two years. In 1976, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work in healthcare at the Bethany Mariandale, Home Nursing and Family Planning until 1982. She was assigned to Bandung, Indonesia in 1982-1989 working as an outreach nurse at St. Joseph, a hospital for the poor.

From 1989-1993, Sister Anne once again did Congregational Services at the Sisters Center where she worked as Mail Desk Supervisor in the Treasury Department.  She was then assigned to Bangladesh in 1994 and studied the language and culture until 1996.  In 1997, Sister Anne once again returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services in the Support Services Department and as Photo Librarian in the Communications/Development Department until 2005.

In 2006, Sister Anne fully retired at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Anne on Wednesday, April 10^th, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 11^th, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Jeanne Houlihan, M.M. died on Tuesday, March 26^th, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 93 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 72 years.

On February 11^th, 1931 Sister Jeanne was born in St. Louis, MO to Catherine R. (Dondon) Houlihan and Joseph P. Houlihan.  She had three brothers and five sisters; all of whom have predeceased her.

From 1945-1949, Sister Jeanne attended St. Josephs Academy High School in St. Louis, MO.   She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Fontbonne College in 1952 also in St. Louis.   Sister Jeanne then attended St. Louis University earning her Masters of Education in Administration in 1972.  She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in Maryknoll, New York on September 2^nd, 1952 from her home parish (St. Monica in Creve Coeur, MO) in the St. Louis Diocese.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1955 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7^th, 1961 in Hong Kong.

In 1955, Sister Jeanne received her first overseas mission assignment to Hong Kong. After studying the Chinese Language at the University of Hong Kong, she started to teach religion and home economics at the Maryknoll Convent School.  She dedicated 23 years (1968-1991) at the Maryknoll Convent School serving as Principal, Supervisor, and Chairperson of the secondary schools consecutively. She also served as Biblical Knowledge Examination Coordinator.

In 1991, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services as Director of the Development Department until 2001.  In 2002, she returned to Hong Kong once again to serve as English Teacher at the Maryknoll Convent School where she spent another nine years until 2011.

In 2012, Sister Jeanne returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to semi-retire, volunteering in the Development Department until her full retirement in 2022.  Sister Jeanne was assigned to the Maryknoll Sisters Home Care Unit, at the Sisters Center until her passing on March 26^th, 2024.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Jeanne on Thursday, April 4^th, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 5^th, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Nancy Thomas,M.M. died on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 96 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.

On November 8, 1927, Nancy R. Thomas was born in Washington, DC to Wilhelmenia F. Vogts and Ignatius G. Thomas.  She had one brother, Norbourn and one sister, Mary Clare; all have predeceased her.

From 1941 to 1945, Sister Nancy attended Mount Saint Agnes High School in Baltimore, Maryland.   She earned an Associate of Arts Degree at Mount Saint Agnes Junior College in 1947 in Baltimore, Maryland.  She then attended Maryknoll Teachers College (Rogers College) from 1949 to 1952 in Maryknoll, New York, and earned her Bachelor of Education Degree.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Valley Park, Missouri on October 30, 1947, from her home parish of Shrine of Sacred Heart in Baltimore.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on May 8, 1950, in Valley Park, Missouri, and her Final Vows on May 8, 1953, in Hawaii.

In 1952, she received her first mission assignment as a Primary School Teacher in Kaneohe, moving to Punahou in 1954, and Waikiki in 1959 for different grade levels in each area until 1968.  From 1968 to 1972, she was the Principal of the Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, New York in 1972 for Congregational Services in the Development Department as Promotion Director until 1975.  She was assigned to Riberalta, Bolivia for one year in 1975 as a staff member of the Rural Pastoral Institute in the Pando Vicariate.  From 1977 to 1979 she continued doing pastoral work in the Cristo Rey Parish in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

In 1980, Sister moved to the Western United States Region in Seattle, Washington for her next assignment.  There she was a Receptionist and then an Assistant Activity Director in a nursing home until 1981.  She moved to Gilroy, California in 1981 until 2022.  During this period, she held various positions and titles, as part of the Western US Region. She was Director of Religious Education; she volunteered as Rape Crisis Advocate with NextDoor Solutions; a member of Women in Black, an international group that protests against violence and war; a volunteer at Emergency Housing Consortium Homeless Shelters; an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence, and a member of the informal task force for building transitional shelters.

Sister Nancy served on the Regional Governing Board for the Western US Region in Finance and Planning from 1983 to 1987, and in Personnel and Finance from 1990 to 2002. In 2005, she was on the Leadership Team for the Western US Region.

In 2022, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire until her passing on March 3, 2024.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Nancy Thomas on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Rosemary Healy died on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 92 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 73years.

On September 9, 1931, Rosemary Healy was born in Butte, Montana to Margaret (Sullivan) Healy and Daniel Healy.  She had one brother, Daniel Joseph, who has predeceased her.  Her nephew, Ted Matthew, survives her.

From 1945 to 1949, Sister Rosemary attended Immaculate Conception Academy High School in San Francisco, California.   She earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Maryknoll Teachers College in 1962.  She then attended Catechetic Institute Superior de Pastoral in Madrid 1967-1968 receiving a degree in Catechetics. In the spring of 1979, she studied Pastoral Theology at the University of Salamanca.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Valley Park, Missouri on February 1, 1951 from her home parish of St. James in San Francisco, California.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on September 8, 1953 in Valley Park, Missouri and her Final Vows on September 8, 1959 at the Motherhouse in Maryknoll, New York.

From 1953 to 1966, Sister Rosemary studied and had many positions; F.A. Records, secretary to Fr. McCarthy at St. Teresa’s Nursing facility in Maryknoll, NY, and a teacher for grade eight in Bronx, New York.  In 1966, she was assigned to Manizales, Colombia as a member of Administration team, Director of Fieldwork and student seminars, Latin American Catechetical Institute until 1970.

For the next five years, Sister Rosemary was part of the Central Governing Board at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY, 1970 to 1975.  In 1975, she was assigned to Western US Region working in Oakland and then in Union City, California as part of the Western Admissions Team until 1978.

In 1979, she was assigned to Copilco, Santo Domingo, Mexico City, Mexico teaching in Basic Christian Communities until 1981.  From Mexico, she moved to Catarina, San Marcos, Guatemala in 1984 still teaching in Basic Christian Communities until her move to Huehuetenango, Guatemala as Regional Coordinator until 1989.   In 1990, she moved to El Milagro and Mixco in Guatemala as pastoral worker with women’s groups.  Also in Formation of Word and Catechists until 1994.  Between 1994 and 1998, she was a Rogers’ Council Member at Maryknoll, NY.  Returning to Guatemala in 1998 for more pastoral work with women and basic Christian Communities in La Communidad San Jose and Mixco until 2004.

In 2004, Sister Rosemary returned to Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, New York for Congregational Services in the Secretariat office – Central Files Clerk until 2006.  Still on Congregational Services, she helped as Creative Production Assistant and then in 2010 she volunteered as Web Content Associate until 2011.

In 2012 Sister retired and volunteered her time and love to the many Sisters in the Maryknoll Residential Care Unit until her death in 2024. Sister has so generously donated her body to science.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Rosemary Healy on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Kathleen Higgins died on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 94 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.

On September 5, 1929, Kathleen Mary Higgins was born in Brooklyn, NY to Catherine (Flynn) Higgins and Albert Higgins.  She had two brothers, Albert and Peter who have predeceased her.  She is survived by her nephew, Greg.

From 1943-1947, Sister Kathleen attended St. Joseph Juniorate High School in Brooklyn, NY.   She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Rogers College in 1953 in Maryknoll, NY.  She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Venard on September 6, 1947 from her home parish in Brooklyn.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1950 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows in 1953 at Maryknoll.

In 1953, she received her first mission assignment to the Eastern US Region in Chinatown, NYC as a Primary Teacher.  In 1958, Sister was assigned to Chile where she taught Religious Education until 1972.  She was called to Maryknoll Sisters Center for Congregational Services in Information Services from 1972 to 1974.  Returning to Chile in 1975 to 1983 for Pastoral Work teaching Catechetics to the local youths.

From 1984 to 1988, Sister Kathleen was back in New York doing Congregational Services in Direct Mail at the Maryknoll Center and as an English Teacher teaching English as a Second Language at Maryknoll Society. In 1988 to 1992, she was in Spanish Harlem, NYC at St. Paul’s as a Pastoral Agent.

In 1992, Sister Kathleen was assigned to the Western US Region, Menlo Park, California where she did Pastoral Work as Parish Minister and Home Visiting until 1997.

In 1998, Sister retired in California still young enough to volunteer her time and energy to home visiting and Gospel reflections.  In 2019, Sister Kathleen returned to the Maryknoll Sister Center still volunteering her time until 2022.

Sister Kathleen has so generously donated her body to science.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Kathleen Higgins on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

 A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Virgeen Healey, M.M. died on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 99 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 79 years

On June 27, 1924, Mary Virgeen Healey was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Laura (Brock) and Edward Healey. She had two brothers, Edward and Richard and one sister Doris; her niece, Gail Baruzzini-Garey and her nephew, Louis V. Baruzzini, survive her.

Sister Virgeen attended Harrison Grammar School and St. Mark’s High School in St. Louis where she graduated on June 6, 1943. She went to Catholic University in their San Rafael, CA campus and earned a Certificate in Religious Education in 1958. She graduated from Mary Rogers College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Community Service, with a minor in Religion. She received her Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, NY in 1988.

She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Maryknoll, NY on September 6, 1944 from her home parish, St. Rita’s Church. She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1947 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7, 1950 in Guadalupe, CA.

Sister worked at the Maryknoll Seminary kitchen in Maryknoll, NY and taught catechism classes in Carmel, NY in 1947-48. In 1949, she was assigned to Guadalupe and Stockton, CA teaching catechetical work in the parishes.

She received her first overseas assignment to the Philippines in 1960 where she was missioned for over 40 years – engaged in teaching, pastoral work and religious Education in parishes, and social work. She worked with the marginalized especially the urban poor. She returned to Maryknoll, NY in 2007.

In 2007, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services as part of the Mission Awareness Promotion team until her retirement in 2013.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Virgeen Healey on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Mary Reese, M.M. died on August 17^th, 2023, at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 100 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 77 years.

On December 8^th, 1922 Mary was born in Wilmington, DE to Elizabeth Conway Reese and James Reese.  She had three brothers who were priests and three sisters; all of her siblings have pre-deceased her.

From 1936 – 1940, Mary attended Ursuline Academy High School in Wilmington, DE. She then studied nursing at St. Francis School of Nursing also in Wilmington where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1943. From March 1945-August 1946, Mary served honorably as the First Lieutenant of Oahu Medical Service for the United States Armed Forces in the Middle Pacific.  She served in that capacity at Tilton General Hospital in Fort Dix, NJ and in the orthopedic section for five months prior to her overseas assignment. She joined the 147^th General Hospital in Honolulu, HI as a General Duty Nurse in Orthopedics and later as an Operation Room Nurse.

Mary entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on October 5^th, 1946 (from St. Ann’s parish in Wilmington, DE.)  She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6^th, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on April 6^th, 1952 also at the Center.

In 1950, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Education at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. She also received her first mission assignment that same year to remain at the Maryknoll Sisters Center to work in the infirmary caring for ill and elderly Sisters. In 1952, when the Maryknoll Sisters Foundress, Mother Mary Joseph had a stroke, Sister Mary was assigned as one of the nurses to care for her. This led to a life-long friendship between them.

In 1953, Sister Mary was assigned to Kowak, Tanzania to learn the language and work in the dispensary and maternity unit of the hospital until 1964.  She then moved to Nassa and Mwanza to work in the mission dispensary until 1966.  In 1969, Sister Mary was assigned to Kenya at the Kinango Hospital in Mombasa to work as the staff nurse until 1972.  She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for congregational services at Bethany (a nursing home for elderly Sisters.) 

From 1974-1975, she attended the Maryknoll School of Theology graduating with a Master of Arts Degree. She then returned to Africa and worked in Dar es Salaam in 1975 and Musoma in 1981. While in Dar es Salaam, she worked on a project for maternal and child health care until 1980. In Musoma, she worked with AIDS patients and in pastoral ministry. She also worked with AIDS orphans as well as with women’s economics projects until 2009.

In 2010, Sister Mary returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to semi-retire. In 2022 she fully retired to the Eden Community also at the Sisters Center, where she remained until her death on August 17^th, 2023. As a final act of service, Sister Mary generously donated her body to science.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Mary on September 5^th, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Mass will be held on September 6^th, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Georgina Gamarra, M.M. died on August 8^th, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 67 years.

Julia Georgina Gamarra Cortijo was born on July 27th, 1933 in Lima, Peru to Teófila (Cortijo) and Manuel Jesús Gamarra.  She had two brothers and six sisters; her sisters Dr. Teófila de la Luz and Mrs. Esther Collins survive her.

Georgina attended Rosa de Santa Maria High School in Lima, Peru from 1945-1949.   She earned her Bachelor of Education Degree at Central Normal School for Women in Lima in 1954. She then attended Maryknoll Teachers College in Maryknoll, NY from 1956-1959 and graduated from Iona College, New Rochelle, NY with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, major in Psychology and minor in Spanish in 1976. She continued her studies and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies from the Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, NY in 1985.

Georgina taught for one year at the Teachers College in Lima, Peru before she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in Maryknoll, NY on September 2^nd, 1956 (from her home parish of Carrera in Lima, Peru). She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on June 24th, 1959 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on June 24th, 1980 in Chile.

Sister Georgina received her first mission assignment to Chile in 1960, where she remained for 20 years.  She served in Curepto and later in Santiago, there she ministered as a high school and grade school teacher; Director of Religious Education; Director of Christian Youth Groups; gave inner healing retreats; and was involved in the formation of the Charismatic Renewal in the country.

From 1981-1984, Sister Georgina did her Congregational Services at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY working in Supportive Services and the Library.  Afterwards, she traveled around the United States giving Charismatic Seminars from 1984-1987.  Sister Georgina was then assigned to the Eastern United States Region in 1988.  In 1989, she opened the New Life Center in Elgin, IL where she was involved in the formation of small Christian Communities, inner healing retreats/counseling and she would also often travel overseas to give retreats.

From 1990-2015, Sister Georgina lived in Florida serving as an Associate Pastor in Nativity Church Parish in Tampa until 2010. She worked on the formation of 55 small Christian communities and was an advocate for the annulment of marriages.  In 2010, she transferred to Indiantown, FL where she worked in the Holy Cross Parish as Coordinator of the Hispanic Ministry and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RICA).  She also volunteered in various ways, gave retreats and did prison ministry at the State Prison of Ocala in 2015.

In 2016, Sister Georgina was assigned to the Maryknoll Sisters community in Monrovia, CA where she semi-retired and also volunteered her time accompanying Sisters on medical appointments and shopping trips.

Sister Georgina returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in March 2023 where she fully retired and remained until her passing on August 8^th, 2023.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Georgina on August 21, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 22, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marie Lynch, M.M. died on August 6th, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 87 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 64 years.

On February 11^th, 1936 Marie Bernadette Lynch was born in Roxbury, MA to Catherine (Norton) and Edward B. Lynch.  She had three brothers and one sister; her brothers Edward and Thomas survive her.

Marie attended Sacred Heart High School in Newton Center, MA from 1949 -1953.   She then earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Regis College in Weston, MA with a major in Psychology and a minor in Education.  She also attended Maryknoll School of Theology in Maryknoll, NY and received her Masters’ Degree in Theological Studies (Christian Heritage) in 1984.  On September 2^nd, 1959 Marie entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY from her home parish of Sacred Heart, Newton Center, MA.   She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on June 24th, 1962 in Topsfield, MA and her Final Vows on June 24th, 1968 in Bolivia.

In 1963, Sister Marie received her first mission assignment to Peru where she worked as a teacher in Lima until 1966.  She then moved to Guayaramerin, Bolivia from 1967-1968 and was the Principal of the grade school.

From 1969-1979, Sister Marie returned to Peru moving between Lima, Juli Prelature-Huancane, and Tacna.  She served as a teacher, worked in pastoral ministry, formation, and religious education of the laity.  In 1979, Sister Marie returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work in Congregational Services as Director of Central Orientation Team 1983.  She then returned to Peru in 1984 continuing her work between Lima, Juli-Prelature-Huancane and Tacna until 2017.

In 2017, Sister Marie returned once again to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  She served in Mission Services as a Participant Services Coordinator in the Mission Institute until 2021 when she retired.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Marie Lynch on Monday, August 4th at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 15th at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Sophia Aihara, M.M. died on August 3rd, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 97 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years.

On November 14^th, 1925, Sister Sophia Setsuko Aihara was born in Uchida, Ashiya, Hyogo-ken, Japan to Suzuko (Kitagawa) and Masao Aihara.  She had four brothers, who have all predeceased her.  Her nephew Masakazu Aihara and his family in Kobe, Japan survive her.

From 1938-1943, Sophia attended Sacred Heart Girls High School (Seishin Joshigakuin) in Obayashi, Japan.   She then attended Kobe University for two years and transferred to Doshisha University in Kyoto where she received her B.A.  Following her studies, she taught at Sacred Heart Girl High School for several years before entering Maryknoll. Sophia entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on August 28th, 1954 from her home parish of Kyoto, Saiin.  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1957 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7th, 1963 in Japan.

In 1957, Sister Sophia received her first mission assignment to Japan.  She assisted in the vestment-making project at Matsugasaki in Kyoto.  She then moved to Saiin Parish doing pastoral work from 1959-1961. Later, she continued her pastoral ministry in the Ise Parish in Mie Prefecture. From 1964-1969, Sister Sophia taught English, Math and Religion at the Maryknoll Girls’ School in Yokkaichi City.

For one year, 1968-1969, she came back to the United States to study at Fordham University. In 1969, she returned to Japan to continue her studies at Sacred Heart University in Tokyo where she received her M.A. in English Literature in 1971.  After her studies, Sister Sophia taught English and English Literature at Sacred Heart University Junior College in Tokyo until 1987.  She then moved to Kichijoji doing a variety of ministries including: working for Encyclopedia Britannica doing translation and editing of articles on religion and related topics; bible study classes as well as other classes with women’s groups at Kichijoji Parish; assisting AA groups and helping a group of volunteer women prepare materials for the blind.

In 2015, Sister Sophia returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire. She remained at the Center until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Sophia on August 30^th at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 31^st at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.