Maryknoll, NY: Sister Cecilia Santos, M.M. died on March 18^th, 2022 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 93 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 75 years.

Cecilia was born in Paia, Maui, Hawaii on January 30^th, 1929, to Manuel Santos and Alexa (Gouveia) Santos.  She had one sister, nine brothers and a foster brother and sister; all of whom have pre-deceased her.

In 1947, she graduated from St. Anthony’s Girls High School in Wailuku, HI.  After graduation she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on August 18^th, 1947 from (St. Joseph Parish, Maui of the Honolulu Diocese, HI).

On March 7^th,1950 she pronounced her First Profession of Vows and her Final Profession of Vows three years later on March 7^th, 1953, at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Sister Cecilia then earned a Bachelor of Education Degree from Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center) in 1954 and later that year was assigned to teach in Maryknoll Sisters’ Schools in Hawaii until 1962. She then received her first overseas mission assignment to Chile, South America.

Her mission journey in Chile began with a year of studying the Spanish language in the village of Pucón. She then taught in grade schools subsidized by the government in very poor areas as well as parishes ministered by the Maryknoll Fathers. From 1963-1966, Sister Cecilia was in Santiago and then assigned to the rural town of Curepto where she served as Principal of a Parish School until 1968.  She then moved further south to the city of Chillán where she taught 4^th grade until 1971.  For a brief period from June 1971 through January 1972 she returned to Waikiki, HI and taught 4^th grade.  However, in 1972 she returned to Chillán, Chile to teach 6^th grade until 1976.  During those years spent in Chillán she also did home visiting, taught bible study classes and provided guidance to mothers who were preparing their children to receive their first Holy Communion.

In 1976 Sister Cecilia returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work in Supportive Services until 1978.  She then joined the Maryknoll Sisters Contemplative Community for one year until she returned to Chile once again in 1980. This time she was serving in the small town of Coelemu, where she served as a pastoral worker for the next 35 years! Her work included serving as: Chaplain of a 60 bed hospital, Director of the Parish Catechetical Department, Director of Basic Christian Communities, Coordinator of Eucharistic Ministers, leadership training, youth work, caring for the poor and needy, leading Sunday liturgies when the Parish Priest was elsewhere and much more.  In 1991 she was awarded the town’s citation of “Outstanding Neighbor” by the Mayor of Coelemu.

In 2015, Sister Cecilia returned to Maryknoll, NY and was assigned to the Central Pacific Region.  There she worked in the Sacred Heart Parish, in Honolulu, HI, volunteering two days a week in the parish food pantry and accompanying her elder sister who was ill.

In February of 2022 she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she remained until her death.

Funeral Services:

Sister Cecilia generously donated her body to science.

A Vespers service will be held on Monday, March 28^th, 2022 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, March 29^th, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Due to Co-vid 19, these services will be restricted to members of the Maryknoll Sisters Community.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Jacqueline Dorr, M.M. died on February 19^th, 2022 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 92 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 74 years.

Jacqueline was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 22^nd, 1929, to Helen (O’Neil) Dorr and Paul Dorr. She had two brothers, Dr. Laurence Dorr and Paul Dorr and one sister, Mrs. Janice Giuliani all of whom pre-deceased her.

In 1947, she graduated from Boston Academy of Notre Dame, after graduation she attended Simmons College in Boston for one year.  Jacqueline then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on September 4^th, 1948 (from St. Luke’s Parish in Boston, MA). She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1951 and her Final Profession of Vows three years later on March 7^th, 1954, both at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

From 1949-1953, Sister Jacqueline attended Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center). In 1953 she was assigned to Boston, Chinatown where she worked with youth.

In 1959 she returned to Maryknoll Teachers College and completed her Bachelor of Education Degree.

In 1959 Sister Jacqueline received her first overseas mission assignment to Tanganyika, East Africa. There, she studied the Kikwaya language and did pastoral and office work until 1962. She then relocated to Makoko, studying the Kiswahili language and teaching at Makoko School for Aspirants

From 1963 – 1964, she assisted in opening the Kabanga Girls’ Middle School, (a boarding school for girls) and also taught there. Sister Jacqueline then served in Bukoba, Tanzania from 1965-1971 teaching at Rugambwa Secondary School a boarding school.

In 1972, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as a member of the secretarial staff until 1974. Sister Jacqueline then returned to Africa to the city of Nakuru in Kenya. There, she taught at Menengai High School until 1976. From 1977-1979, she was an active team member of the District Religious Education Team, doing on-going education seminars for Primary School Teachers and facilitated DELTA workshops for the Kenya Catholic Secretariat.

For a brief period from 1980-1982, Sister Jacqueline returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center to work in the Maryknoll Mission Institute Department. In 1983, she once again returned to Kenya, this time to the town of Nanyuki, working as a member of the Marsabit Diocese Development Education Team. She provided Educational Workshops for Nomadic Desert Peoples of Northern Kenya.

From 1987-1992, she was working in Nairobi, Kenya when she became Co-founder of RIZIKI Rehabilitation Program for women ex-prisoners. During this time she also took educational courses at Kangemi Women’s Centre; authored a resource book, “Choose Life” and did an Oxfam Project: “Women, Law and Development”.

Sister Jacqueline served as the Congregations’ Personnel Director from 1992-1996 and then returned to Nairobi, Kenya one last time to teach seminars, workshops and retreats from 1997-2004.

In 2005, she retired to the Maryknoll Sisters house in Monrovia, CA. In 2018, she relocated to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she remained until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers service was held for Sister Jacqueline on March 3^rd 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 March 4^th at 11:00 a.m. also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Therese Howard, M.M. died on November 22^nd, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll,NY. She was 94 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 65 years.

Therese was born in Janesville, WI on October 7^th, 1927 to Nellie (Mergener) Howard and Floyd Howard. She had one brother, Robert Howard.

In 1945, she graduated from Dormont High School, Pittsburgh, PA. After graduation she attended Carnegie Institute of Technology, (now Carnegie Mellon University), in Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949. She also earned a Degree in Medical Technology in 1956 from Allegheny General Hospital, PA.

On September 2^nd, 1956 Therese entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY (from St. Anne’s Parish in Castle Shannon, PA in the Diocese of Pittsburgh).  She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on June 24 ^th, 1959 at the Maryknoll Sisters Motherhouse in Ossining, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on June 24 ^th, 1965 also at the Maryknoll Sisters Motherhouse.

After making her First Vows, Sister Therese taught for one year at the Maryknoll Teachers College, Maryknoll, NY before going to medical school at St. Louis University, St. Louis MO where she earned her Doctorate of Medicine in 1964. She then completed her internship at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ in 1964 and a Residency/Surgery at Carney Hospital, Boston, MA in 1965.

In 1967, Sister Therese received her first overseas assignment to Hong Kong. After studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Cantonese Language School, she ministered at Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, Hong Kong. There, she was involved with family life education in the local community; served as a member of the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council and as a Natural Family Planning instructor. She also helped found the Pro-Life Action Association, whose mission was to foster public discourse on abortion and in-vitro fertilization legislation. For 30 years, Sister Therese responded to the many needs of the poor, young couples, newborns, elderly and infirm.

In 1995, Sister Therese returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she worked for eight years in the Communications Department before retiring in 2003.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Therese on Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Ann Catherine Klaus, M.M. died on August 4th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on August 1st, 1928 in Marion, OH to Frank Klaus and Louise (Risch) Klaus. She had one brother, Francis and two sisters, Patricia and Barbara Rose. Her brother and sister, Patricia survive her.

In 1946, Ann graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Marion, OH. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Valley Park, MO (from St. Mary’s Parish, Marion, OH, Diocese of Columbus) on October 31st, 1947. She made her First Profession of Vows on May 8th, 1950 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows on May 8th, 1953, in Tanganyika, East Africa.

From 1950-1951, Sister Ann attended Maryknoll Teachers College in Maryknoll, NY. She then received her first assignment to Kowak, Tanganyika in East Africa. There, she studied Kiswahili for nine months and sewed all new habits for the Maryknoll Sisters when they switched their colors from grey to white. In 1954, she was assigned to Nyegina to take charge of the primary school. In 1958, she returned to Kowak for one year to teach and prepare young women aspiring to join the community of the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa. She then moved to Makoko-Musoma to teach religion and domestic science until 1961. That same year, she returned to Maryknoll, NY to finish her Bachelor of Education Degree at Rogers College.

In 1962, Sister Ann returned to Shinyanga in Tanganyika to teach. It was at that time that the new government of the United Republic of Tanzania was established (1964). Sister Ann honored the government’s request for Maryknoll Sisters to teach in secondary schools, relocating her to all girls’ secondary schools in Buhangiya in 1965 and in Mwamapalala in 1970.

In 1972, she relocated to Maswa and began moving to mission outstations, shifting her focus on leadership training for women and basic skills of cooking and sewing to improve their daily lives. She extended her ministry to Mwamapalala for pastoral ministry and continued to promote development and leadership training of village women. During this time, Sister Ann also wrote a cookbook in Swahili and later utilized it in her campaign to create solar ovens for the community in an effort to save trees from being cut down for charcoal.

In 1975, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she worked in the Congregation’s Development Department and Mailroom until 1977. After a few years, in 1979 Sister Ann returned to Bariadi, Tanzania to do parish work and women’s development. In 1983, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for renewal and worked as a Secretary in the Center Health Unit until 1986.

From 1987-1989, Sister Ann volunteered to go to Somalia to work in a refugee camp for Ethiopians under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Somali Health Department. In 1991, she returned to Tanzania working for one year in Sengerema where she taught pastoral courses to kindergarten teachers. The following year she served in Nairobi, Kenya at the Maryknoll Sisters World Section House until 1995.

For the next eight years from 1995-2003, she spent her time in Kalebejo, Tanzania assisting other Maryknoll Sisters with the VEMA Program-a Kiswahili word meaning “complete well-being”. This program included forty-seven outstations for basic education: teaching health practices, cooking, sewing and income-generation handicraft projects for the women. She then relocated to Mwanza, Tanzania from 2004-2010 to help HIV/AIDS patients, making visits to hospitals and assisting orphans and children in need with finishing school.

In 2012, Sister Ann returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she fully retired.

Funeral Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sister Ann on Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. Burial will immediately follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Dolores Rosso, M.M. died on July 6th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 22nd, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to Daniel Rosso and Anna (Brennan) Rosso. She was the eldest of five siblings and is survived by her brother Thomas and her sister Marie, who is also a Maryknoll Sister.

In 1942, Dolores graduated from Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, PA. She then began working in the office of the National Biscuit Company, Philadelphia, PA for one year. On September 7th, 1943 Dolores entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1946 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1949, also at the Sisters Center.

From 1945-1949, Sister Dolores studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center), earning a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then received her first mission assignment to Hawaii. There, she spent the next 22 years teaching mostly English and Religion at the Maryknoll School (Punahou) on the island of Oahu. Sister Dolores was awarded by the State of Hawaii for “Teacher of the Year”. She also served for many years on the Council of Pacific Speech and as a member of the National Council of English Teachers. From 1967-1969, she continued her studies at the University of Hawaii, earning a Master’s Degree in English Literature. For the next 11 years, from 1971 – 1982, Sister Dolores served as Executive Director of the newly established Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.

In 1983, Sister Dolores returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as the Director of the Maryknoll Sisters Archives. During her term, she helped facilitate the merger of the Maryknoll Mission Archives: a collaborative project of the Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and Maryknoll Lay Missioners.

From 1991-1994, Sister Dolores returned to Honolulu, HI and became the Executive Director of the Spiritual Life Center, an ecumenical facility for retreats and workshops with a focus on Contemplative Outreach.

The following year, Sister Dolores was selected as Regional Archivist for the Maryknoll Sisters Central Pacific Region. In 1996, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve on the Coordinating Team preparing for a Congregational Gathering. Once again, she returned to the Central Pacific Region in 1998, this time to serve on the Regional Leadership Team for three years. From 2003-2010, she again worked with the Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.

In 2010, Sister Dolores retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021. Burial will follow in the Sisters cemetery.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Agnes Chou, M.M. died on June 11^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on October 3^rd, 1928, in Kung Ch’eng, China to Antony Chou and Chow (Meng) Liang Chen. In addition, she had two sisters and two brothers who have all pre-deceased her.

Agnes entered the Sister Catechists of Our Lady, a Chinese Community trained by the Maryknoll Sisters.  After several years of mission work, from 1951 – 1953, she was sent to Macau, to complete her Secondary Education at St. Rose of Lima High School.  During that time, the Communist government disbanded her religious Community in China. Unable to return home, the Maryknoll Sisters brought her to Hong Kong where she worked in refugee settlements with the Maryknoll Sisters until 1962.

On May 2^nd, 1962 she joined the first group of Maryknoll Sisters to receive their Novitiate training outside of the United States at Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 19^th, 1964. From 1964 – 1971, she returned to Hong Kong and did catechetical work. She made her Final Profession of Vows there on March 19^th, 1970. She also studied at Chu Hai College, Hong Kong from 1967 – 1971, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Sister Agnes left Hong Kong in 1971, for a six months furlough at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, New York. She then served at St. Teresa’s Parish in Chicago Chinatown from 1972 – 1979.  Within the same year, she became a United States citizen on October 3^rd, 1979.

From 1981 – 1983, Sister Agnes worked in the New York City Chinatown Health Clinic doing social work. Then from 1984 – 1985, she was, engaged in pastoral ministry and assisted with a refugee assistance program in Brooklyn, NY

In 1986, she returned to Chinatown NYC. During her time there, she worked in Social Services for Head Start and with Asian Family Services until 1989.

Sister Agnes returned to Boundary Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong in 1990 and worked at a hostel for young women until it closed in 1991. She then visited various parishes until 1996 working with the elderly and patients suffering from Hansen’s Disease in Northeast China.

In 2017, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Gloria F. Ryan, M.M. died on May 23^rd, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 11^th, 1924, in Brooklyn, NY to Robert Ryan and Ann (Cannon) Ryan. She had one sister, Alice, and two brothers, Arthur and Raymond; all of whom have pre-deceased her.

Gloria attended Bayridge High School in Brooklyn, NY from 1938 – 1942. After graduating, she worked for Home Life Insurance Co., in NYC for three years doing clerical work while attending night classes at St. John’s University from 1944 – 1945. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY (from St. Agatha Parish, Brooklyn, NY) on September 6^th, 1945. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1948 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1951, also at the Sisters Center.

In 1947, Sister Gloria studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center Maryknoll, NY) there she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1951. She continued her education at City College, New York where she earned a Master’s Degree in Adult Education in 1973.

In 1951, Sister Gloria received her first overseas mission assignment to the Island of Luzon in the Philippines where she served for 14 years as a Religion and English Teacher to middle and high school students.

For the next several years she moved from place to place in the Philippines wherever she was needed. From 1964 – 1965, she served in Sto. Tomas Davao, Island of Mindinao teaching English and Religion in a high school; in Cateel from 1965 – 1969 she served as a high school Principal and made home visits to those in need; in Sigaboy from 1969 – 1970 she did parish work and taught adult education.

In 1975, Sister Gloria came back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to do Congregational Service until 1978.

Sister Gloria continued to work in the U.S., providing aid to runaway girls at St. Brigid’s Convent in New York City. During this time, she also taught adult education at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY until 1981. In addition, she did promotion and mission education in the New England area from 1981-1984 and also worked with Salvadoran refugees at St. Brigid’s Parish on Long Island from 1985 -1987.

In 1987, Sister Gloria was assigned to the Eastern US Region; She continued her ministry in St. Brigid’s Parish with the Salvadoran refugees doing home visits, helping with employment, housing and Christian Community development.

From 1992 – 1994, Sister Gloria returned home to take care of her elderly mother.  In 1995, she semi-retired in Terryville, CT, however, she continued to volunteer her services doing parish work.

In 2000, she fully retired at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services: A Vespers Service for Sister Gloria will be held today, May 27^th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 28^th, followed by Interment in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marie Ann Lipetzky, M.M. died on May 19^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on December 28^th, 1923, in Clements, MN to Al Lipetzky and Ann (Heitzig) Lipetzky. She had ten siblings: five brothers and five sisters; she is survived by her four sisters.

Marie Ann attended high school at Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN from 1936 -1941. On July 2^nd, 1941 she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY (from St. Joseph Parish, Clements, in the New Ulm Diocese, Minnesota). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1944 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1947, also at the Sisters Center.

From 1943 – 1947, she studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY). There, she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then attended The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN where she earned a second Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science in 1948. She also spent three summers studying Gregorian Chant at Pius X School of Liturgical Music and was responsible for all liturgical music at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. She then continued her education at St. Louis University, MO earning a Master’s Degree in Religious Education in 1970.

In 1954, Sister Marie Ann received her first overseas mission assignment to the Philippine Islands where she served as librarian and music teacher at Maryknoll College, Quezon City.

In 1960, she was assigned to teach at Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong until 1972.  She then studied Cantonese for one year before going to live in the Young Workers’ Center where she worked in liturgy, choir. During this time, she also worked as a staff member for the parish at Sau Mau Ping, a government housing project. There, she did home visits to those in need for the next 5 years.

In 1981, Sister Marie Ann returned home to care for her elderly mother until 1984. She then returned to Hong Kong in 1985, to work with the elderly in Yuen Long, New Territories, at project of Caritas until 1998.

From 1998-2005, she was missioned in Macao – China doing parish catechetical work, preparing catechumens for baptism and making home visits to the elderly.

In 2005, Sister Marie Ann returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as a volunteer on the Sisters Pastoral Care Team for one year. From 2006-2008, she worked as Co-Coordinator of the Sisters “Chi- Rho” Community and served as a Delegate at the Congregation’s General Assembly. Sister Marie Ann remained active at the Sisters Center, serving as a member of the Worship Committee and Choir until 2019 when she retired.

Funeral Services: A Vespers Service will be held on Wednesday, May 26^th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, May 27^th, 2021 also in the Annunciation Chapel.

Sister Janice McLaughlin, M.M. died on March 7^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 13^th, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA to Paul McLaughlin and Mary (Schaub) McLaughlin. She had one sister, Mary Ellen, who has pre-deceased her.

In 1960, Janice graduated from St. Lawrence High School, Pittsburgh, PA. She then attended St. Mary of the Springs College in Columbus, OH from 1960-1961.

On September 2^nd, 1961, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish-Pittsburgh, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on June 24^th, 1964 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession on the same date in 1972 in Kitale, Kenya.

From 1964-1968, Sister Janice worked in the Maryknoll Sisters Communication Office, Maryknoll, NY.  During this time, she also organized the “War Against Poverty Program” in Ossining, NY. She continued her studies from 1967-1969 at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, Anthropology – Sociology. She later studied at the University of Zimbabwe and received a Master of Arts Degree and a PhD in Religious Studies in 1992.

Sister Janice received her first overseas mission assignment to Kenya, East Africa in 1969. There, she studied Kiswahili in Makoko, Tanzania. She then relocated to Nairobi, Kenya in 1970 and spent the next seven years serving as Communications Coordinator in the Catholic Secretariat Office for the Catholic Church of Kenya, Coordinator of the Communications Department of Episcopal Conference, and was responsible for radio, TV, press, film and audio visuals.

Sister Janice went to Rhodesia in 1977, in the midst of war, at the request of Rhodesian Catholic Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission to serve as Press Secretary.  Later, that same year, arrested for publishing fact-papers about the war, imprisoned and in solitary confinement for 3 weeks, then deported to the USA.

While in the USA Janice held a 1-year position in Washington, DC Office on Africa.

In 1979, Sister Jancie returned to Mozambique where she accompanied refugees from Zimbabwe. In 1981-1992, Sister Janice accepted a new assignment to Zimbabwe, (formerly Rhodesia) and served in diverse positions there including:  Education Consultant to the President and Publications/Curriculum Development Officer with the Zimbabwe Foundation regarding education and communications and helped to form ZIMOFA (Zimbabwe Mozambique Friendship Association for Relief Aid).

In 1992, Sister Janice returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service in the Communications Office. She also served on the Sisters Committee for the Conrad N. Hilton Fund until 1997.

She once again returned to Zimbabwe in 1998, this time to Harare. There, Sister Janice was involved in adult education and peace building until 2009.

In 2009, Sister Janice, elected as President of the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation for a six-year term and returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

On May 18^th, 2014 the Board of Trustees of Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT conferred on her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for “her work in Kenya and Zimbabwe for many years to promote peace and reconciliation and to advocate for the poor and for the rights of young girls to attend school.”

In 2015, after her term as President, she returned to Harare, Zimbabwe – volunteering in “Africans for Catholic Social Teaching” with a strong commitment to work against human trafficking.

In the Fall of 2020, due to health needs, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY.

Sister Janice generously donated her body to science. A Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed on Friday, March 12^th, 2021 from the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY.  Her cremains will be interred at Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY at a later date.

Sister Marion Phillips, M.M. died on February 26^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on November 28^th, 1934, in Jamaica, New York to Michael Phillips and Mary (Costello) Phillips. She is survived by her twin brother, Rev. Msgr. Michael Phillips of the Brooklyn Diocese, NY.

In 1952, Marion graduated from Our Lady of Wisdom High School, Ozone Park, NY. The following year she attended St. John’s University College, Brooklyn, NY.

On September 2^nd, 1953 Marion entered the Congregation (from St. Paschal Baylon Parish, St. Albans, NY). She made her First Profession of Vows on September 8^th, 1956 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows on September 8^th, 1962 in Japan.

Following her First Profession of Vows, Sister Marion worked at the Maryknoll Sisters Center Donor Relations Office, communicating with donors and recording gifts until she received her first overseas mission assignment to Japan in 1959. There, she studied the Japanese language and culture in Kyoto and Ueno until 1969, then began teaching English and catechism in Ise Shi.

In October of 1969, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to join the Maryknoll Sisters Cloister (presently known as the Contemplative Community).  This prayer group is a very important part of the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, which became a reality in 1932 and continues strong today. She committed to the contemplative way of life; which is simple, rooted in mission, and focused on prayer for those in active ministries and the needs of the world. The group mainly resides at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY, but has had a Contemplative presence mission houses in Thailand, South Sudan, New Mexico and Guatemala.   At present, only the Guatemala mission remains outside of the community in Maryknoll, NY.

From 1972-1984, Sister Marion relocated to Gallup, NM to join the Contemplative Community Group there and served as a prayer presence near the Navajo Nation. While there, she served as the Coordinator of the Gallup Contemplative Group and as a Regional Governing Board Member from 1979-1983. During that time, she also attended Kawai Art School, CA to study oriental brush painting and traveled to India to participate in an East-West dialogue on prayer and spirituality.

In 1985, Sister Marion returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY to serve as Coordinator for the group until 1990.

Her mission journey then took her to Thailand, to join the Contemplative Community there and study the language and culture. In 1992, she returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY where she remained until once again being assigned to Thailand in 2004. Sister Marion spent the next eight years as part of a collaborative contemplative prayer presence (with another Maryknoll Sister, Ursaline Sisters and Thai Jesuits) at Santi Wana Ashram, an Ecological Center among Buddhists and Christians.

In 2013, Sister Marion returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Service for Sister Marion will be held on March 5^th, 2021 and livestreamed from the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in NY. Interment in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery will follow.