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.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Camille Marie Black, M.M. died on October 29^th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 96 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 74 years.

She was born in Andover, NY on September 27^th, 1923 to Mildred (Hower) Black and Paul Black. She had one brother, Paul and one sister, Virginia; both of whom have predeceased her.

Camille Marie attended Dansville Central High School in Dansville, NY from 1935-1939. After graduating, she studied at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Elmira, NY from 1942-1945, where she earned an RN License.

On September 6^th, 1945, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Patrick’s Parish, Danville, NY, in the Rochester Diocese). At her Reception she received the religious name, Sister Camille Marie. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1948 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows in Manila, Philippines on March 7^th, 1951.

In 1948, Sister Camille Marie received her first overseas mission assignment to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Manapla, Philippines where she served as a Nursing Supervisor.  In 1955, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as a nurse in the center’s nursing home wing until 1959. She was then assigned to Guatemala to serve as a nurse and religion teacher in Colegio Monte Maria, Guatemala City from 1959-1963.

Sr. Camille Marie remained in Guatemala, but relocated to San Pedro Necta to serve again as a nurse and religion teacher for six months; she was then called to Jacaltenango to help set up an operating room and train the nursing staff from 1963-1966.  In 1967, she returned to the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Manapla, Philippines to serve as a staff nurse for one year.

Sister Camille Marie then decided to further her studies at the Maryknoll Colleges located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She first attended Mary Rogers College from 1968-1972, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Later, she went on to earn a Master’s of Arts Degree in Religious Studies at the Maryknoll School of Theology in 1980.  While attending school she worked in various positions at the Congregation such as, Assistant Director, Librarian and Assistant Editor of Maryknoll Society’s Overseas Extension Service Program from 1972-1984.

Sister Camille Marie remained at the Maryknoll Sisters Center for many years, serving as a volunteer in various departments such as: the Maryknoll Sisters Photo Archive Department, the Development Department, and the Mission Awareness Promotion Team until 2001. She retired in 2006, but remained active serving in the Sacristy and in the New York Archdiocese Catechetical Program.

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Camille Marie on Tuesday, November 5^th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.  

A Funeral Mass will follow on Wednesday, November 6^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.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Lorraine Therese Beinkafner, M.M. died on October 18^th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 90 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 73 years.

Lorraine was born in Albany, NY on November 23^rd, 1928 to Mary (Brust) Beinkafner and Charles J. Beinkafner. She had two sisters and one brother, Marjorie Ann, Virginia and Paul; all of whom have predeceased her.

She attended Holy Names Academy in Albany, NY from 1942-1946. After graduating, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Pennsylvania at the Venard on October 5^th, 1946 (from her home Parish of St. Thomas in Delmar, NY). On April 6^th, 1949 she made her First Profession of Vows at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on April 6^th, 1952, also at the Sisters Center.

While at Maryknoll, Sister Lorraine studied at Maryknoll Teachers College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1952. She then attended Mundeleine College from 1968-1970 and earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. She later continued her studies at St. Francis Medical Center in LaCrosse, WI, where she earned two certificates in Clinical Pastoral Education.

In 1952, Sister Lorraine received her first overseas mission assignment to Ancon, Canal Zone, Panama, where she taught until 1961.  She then returned to the U.S. to do promotion work for Maryknoll in Texas and Illinois until 1971.  At that time, she also served as the Superior at Rosary Convent in Chicago from 1967-1971.

In 1971, she returned to Central America to do pastoral work in various villages of Guatemala: training indigenous leaders; setting up Christian communities and serving as coordinator of adult groups until 1976. Sister Lorraine was then appointed as Co-Pastor of a Parish that was in San Antonio Palapo, Solala, Guatemala until 1983. From 1984-1992, she served as Co-Pastor again, but this time she was in charge of women’s diocesan work in San Antonio Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Guatemala.

In 1993, she relocated to San Salvador, El Salvador and worked on several mission projects, involving: adult education, pastoral work and an AIDS ministry until 2001.

From 2001-2004, Sister Lorraine worked as Assistant Director of the Development Department at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  She then was called to El Paso, Texas to work with the Maryknoll Border Team and assisted part-time as a para-legal at Las Americas Immigration Advocacy Center until 2007.  She also worked as Co-Coordinator of the VAWA Program (Violence Against Women), helping women immigrants in domestic violence situations until 2010.

Sister Lorraine retired in 2012 to the Maryknoll Sisters Eastern Region.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Lorraine on November 10^th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Memorial Mass will follow November 11^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center.

Sister Lorraine generously donated her body to science.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Joan Crevcoure, M.M. died on October 18^th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was 93 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 73 years.

Joan Crevcoure was born in Green Bay, WI on October 12^th, 1926 to May B. (Fortier) Crevcoure and J. M. Crevcoure. She had one brother and one sister, both of whom have predeceased her.

Joan attended West High School in Green Bay, WI from 1940-1944. Following graduation, she attended Rosary College in River Forest, IL from 1944-1946. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on October 5^th, 1946 (from Annunciation Parish of the Green Bay Diocese). She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6^th, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows in Hawaii on April 6^th, 1952.

While at Maryknoll, Sister Joan studied at Maryknoll Teachers College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1950. She later continued her studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu in 1958.

Sister Joan received her first teaching assignment at St. Anthony School in the Bronx, NY from 1949-1950. The rest of her missionary life was spent between Hawaii and Majuro in the outer Marshall Islands.

In 1950, Sister Joan was assigned to the Maryknoll Grade School in Punahou, HI where she taught until 1961. She then transferred to St. Michael’s School in Waialua, Oahu and spent one year teaching there. In 1962, she moved to Majuro in the Marshall Islands to teach in Junior High School and serve as Principal of Assumption Elementary School until 1969.

Sister Joan returned to the Maryknoll School in Punahou, HI once again, but this time to serve as Administrator of the Elementary and Junior High School until 1972. She then spent the next 22 years serving in the Marshall Islands where she helped form basic Christian Communities. Her pastoral work involved: helping develop two small elementary schools, creating CCD Programs for children, and training adults to be prayer leaders, religious education instructors and elementary school teachers.

In 2004, Sister Joan returned to the U.S. to retire at the Sisters Center in Monrovia, CA. During this time, she remained active and did volunteer work in the local community. She also wrote and published a book called, Ocean Pathways, the story of the Maryknoll Sisters mission work in the Marshall Islands.  In 2015, she relocated to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Vespers service will be held for Sister Joan on Sunday, November 3^rd, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Memorial Mass will follow on Monday, November 4^th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Main Chapel at the Center.

Sister Joan has generously donated her body to science.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Jean Mary Michalec died on October 1^st, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was a Maryknoll Sisters for 57 years and would have been 80 years old on October 13^th.

Mary Jean Michalec was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada on October 13^th, 1939 to Terezia (Lukacik) Michalec and John Michalec.  She had one brother named William. Her parents and brother have both pre-deceased her.

From 1953-1957, Mary Jean attended St. Ann’s Academy in New Westminster, B.C.  She then attended the University of B.C., Vancouver, Canada and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.  She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Valley Park, MO on October 18^th, 1962 from her home Parish of SS Cyril and Methodius (Diocese of Vancouver, Canada).  At her Reception she received the religious name, Sister Jean Mary.  She made her First Profession of Vows on June 24^th, 1965 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows in Japan on June 20^th, 1971.

In 1965, Sister Jean studied Bio-Chemistry at Mary Rogers College in Maryknoll, NY until she was assigned to Japan in 1966. Upon arrival, she began studying the Japanese language and continued her studies in Bio-Chemistry at Sophia University in Tokyo from 1971 – 1972. She earned a Master of Arts Degree in Bio-Chemistry in 1973.

Sister Jean began teaching Biology and Chemistry at Sophia University from 1973-1983, but also continued her studies and earned a Doctor of Science Degree in 1979.  She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve in the Admissions Office from 1983-1986.

She then was called back to Japan to teach science once again at Sophia University until 2004.  During these years, Sister Jean also engaged in a variety of volunteer work: counseling prisoners, teaching foreign prisoners Japanese and working with migrants and students.

In 2002, she served on the Formators Committee of Women Major Superiors.  Sister Jean then helped organize the Committee for Women’s Conference, gave English editorial assistance for the National Christian Conference of Japan, and volunteered at Kalakasan Migrant Center all in 2006.  She assisted with English Communication for the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Tokyo in 2008.

In 2014, Sister Jean returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire. She began a prayer ministry with a focus on Japan.

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Jean Mary on Friday, October 18^th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.   

A Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, October 19^th, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Center.   Interment will follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.

Maryknoll, NY: Maryknoll Sister, Sr. Marie Corinne Rost died on September 1^st, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was a Maryknoll Sister for 82 years and had just celebrated her remarkable 102^nd birthday in July!

Anna Marie Rost was born in Jefferson City, MO on July 29^th, 1917 to Euphemia J. (Dudenhoeffer) Rost and Louis Henry Rost.  She had two sisters, Cay and Bernice and three brothers: Louis (Maryknoll Father), Joseph and John all of whom are deceased.

Anna Marie attended St. Peter’s High School in Jefferson City, MO and graduated in 1935. From 1935-1937, she studied at Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, KS.  She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on July 5^th, 1937 (from her home diocese of Immaculate Conception in Jefferson City).   At her Reception she received the religious name, Sister Marie Corinne. She made her First Profession of Vows on January 6^th, 1940 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on the same date in San Juan Bautista, CA in 1943.  From 1939-1942, she studied at Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York City and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music.

In 1942, Sister Marie Corinne was assigned to San Juan Bautista in Central California, there she served as a catechist and was involved in pastoral ministry until 1943.  From 1943-1945, she worked at a group home for oriental children in Los Angeles, CA.

Sister Marie Corinne then received her first overseas mission assignment to Hong Kong in 1946. For the next 36 years, she taught in the Primary and Secondary Sections of the Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Sister Corinne also served as the school’s piano teacher from 1947-1955 and taught Music, Religion and English in the Primary Section until 1967.  Sister Marie Corinne was then appointed as Principal of the Maryknoll Convent School Primary Section and served as Supervisor of the Secondary Section from 1967-1977. While serving as Supervisor of the Secondary Section, she also gave private English and piano lessons from 1977-1983.

In 1983, Sister Marie Corinne returned to Maryknoll, NY where she worked in Congregational Service in the Research and Planning Office until 1985.

She then returned to Hong Kong in 1986 to do pastoral work at St. Joseph’s Parish. She also was engaged in Religious Education and served as a private English tutor until 1995.

In 1996, Sister Marie Corinne returned to California to the Maryknoll Sisters retirement home in Monrovia, there she did volunteer work and English testing until 2003.  She fully retired at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY in 2004.

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Marie Corinne, Thursday, September 5^th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

A Funeral Mass will follow Friday, September 6^th, 2019 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 Uhlen, M.M. educator and pastoral worker died on August 12th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining, NY.

Joan was born in St. Louis, MO, on December 21st, 1923 to Lily Ann (Pistorius) Uhlen and Bernard J. Uhlen. She had three brothers, Herbert, Henry and Raymond, and three sisters, Lorraine, Mrs. Margaret Ahrens, and Sister Teresa of Jesus, OCD; all of whom have pre-deceased her.

In 1941, Joan graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in St. Louis, MO. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Ossining, NY on September 6th, 1942 (from Holy Ghost Parish, now part of St. Ann’s and Visitation Parishes of the St. Louis Diocese).

At her Reception on March 7th, 1943 she received the religious name Sister M. Joan Francis. She made her First Profession of Vows at the Maryknoll Sisters Center on March 7th, 1945 and pronounced her Final Vows on March 7th, 1948 also at the Sisters Center.

Sister Joan attended Maryknoll Teachers College from 1944-1948, graduating with a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then received her first mission assignment to Kaneohe, HI where she taught in St. Ann’s Grade School and High School until 1957. Sister Joan returned to NY to study, in 1958 she earned a Masters of Education Degree from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY.  After earning her Master’s Degree, she returned to Kaneohe and was appointed Principal of St. Ann’s Grade and High School until 1964. In 1965, she was assigned to the Maryknoll School in Punahou, HI where she taught English and religious guidance to grades 10 and 12.

Sister Joan returned to the U.S. in 1968 for a renewal period and to do promotion work for the Congregation.  In 1970, she was assigned to a new mission in Yucatan, Mexico. After language study there, she worked with students in art, films and multi-media.

In 1972, Sister Joan was assigned to Condega, Nicaragua where she did pastoral work with parish and diocesan teams.  She also created educational courses for women and children’s groups.  In 1974, she was appointed Regional Coordinator for the Panama/Nicaragua/El Salvador Region in the Maryknoll Sisters Regional House.  She then returned to Condega, Nicaragua where she immersed herself in Pastoral work and adult education until 2003; when she called on hundreds of friends to help her construct a retreat house, “Casa de Paz” (House of Peace). In 2008, Sister Joan returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY where she retired.

In 2013, a plaza in Nicaragua that happened to be located directly across from “Casa de Paz” was renamed in her honor to, “Plaza Hermana Joan Uhlen.”

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Joan on Thursday, August 15^th, 2019 in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on August 16^th, 2019 in the same chapel to be followed by interment at the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery.

.