Sr. Cecilia Dolores Holmes, SC

WAKE
Convent of Mary the Queen
Monday, January 3, 2011
Visiting hours:  2pm – 5pm
Prayer Service:  4pm

FUNERAL
Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel
185 Hudson View Drive
Poughkeepsie, NY  12601

Mass:  Tuesday, January 4, 2011, 11am 
Viewing before the Mass: 9:30 am in the Chapel

BURIAL
Saint Peter Cemetery
Salt Point Road  /  Poughkeepsie, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters
of Charity of New York
on February 2, 1939.
She earned a degree in Latin.

MINISTRIES
Bronx

• Visitation, 1939-40
• Blessed Sacrament, 1966-70 (Assistant Principal)

Manhattan

• St. Patrick, 1941-50
• Ascension, 1952-59
• Incarnation, 1959-60

Queens

• St. Gabriel, 1950-52

Outside NYC

• Yonkers:  St. Denis, 1960-66 (Principal)
• Poughkeepsie:  St. Peter, 1970-99 (Administrator)

Sr. Cecilia had Sisters of Charity of New York as teachers from first grade through college:  Incarnation, Cathedral HS and the College of Mount Saint Vincent, where she earned a degree in Latin.

Sister dedicated her entire ministry to education and served at a total of eight schools over 60 years. She was a teacher for 22 years, and an administrator for 38 years.

Sister Cecilia’s longest tenure was with the Poughkeepsie parish of St. Peter’s, where she was the school administrator for 29 years. She was well-beloved there and the new school cafeteria was named in her honor in January 2001. Sister is quoted in Catholic New York as saying that her years there “. . . were simply, day by day, working with the Lord and for the Lord.” Parents who organized her retirement ceremonies said, “We all love her; we would do anything for her.”

Sister Cecilia was proud of her Irish heritage and was deeply impressed by a family trip to the Emerald Isle. She was active in the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which honored her in 1996 for her interest in Irish history and culture.

When she retired to the Convent of Mary the Queen, Fr. James Garisto, pastor of St. Peter’s, visited her. He asked if she remembered the pious advice she once gave him when he was concerned about school finances. Without hesitation Sr. Cecilia said, “Providence can provide; Providence did provide; Providence will provide. O merciful Lord, Provident God, hear our prayers and answer our requests.”

We are grateful for Sister Cecilia’s life of devoted and compassionate service.

Sr. Yolanda DeMola, SC

DIED
Monday, October 18, 2010
(age 88)

FUNERAL
Friday, October 22, 2010

BURIAL
Saint Raymond Cemetery,
Bronx NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters
of Charity of New York
on September 8, 1942.

She earned four degrees:  BA in English, MA in Spanish, PhD in Spanish Literature, and MS in Theology.

MINISTRIES
Bronx

• St. Raymond, 1944-45
• Sts. Peter & Paul,
  1954-55
• St. Augustine, 1955-56
• St. Athanasius, 1956-58
• Fordham University,
  1971-89

Manhattan

• Our Lady of Good Counsel,
  1946-54
• St. Brigid, 1958-60
• St. Francis Xavier,
  1960-61
• Cathedral High School,
  1961-68
• Holy Cross Academy,
  1968-71

Westchester & Dutchess

• St. Joseph (Yonkers),
  1945-46
• St. Joachim
  (Beacon), 1961
• College of New Rochelle,
  1989-98

Yolanda De Mola (Sr. Marita Carmel) was born and raised in New York City, one of two daughters and one son born to Joaquin and Carmen Mayoral DeMola, immigrants from Peru and Puerto Rico respectively. She attended Incarnation School and Cathedral High School before entering the congregation in 1942.

Sr. Yolanda’s education ministry spanned all levels:  17 years in elementary school, 10 years in high school, and 27 years in college.

At Fordham University, she occupied a number of positions, including Assistant professor of Spanish, Assistant Director of Admissions and Assistant Dean. In 1989, Sister began her nine years as Assistant Vice President for Special Projects at the College of New Rochelle.

Sr. Yolanda was a sought-after translator for books originally written in Spanish, such as Recollections and Reflections of Pedro Arrupe. Fr. Arrupe, SJ, was the 28th Superior General of the Jesuits, 1965–83. She also authored articles in periodicals such as America magazine.

Sister was proud of her Spanish heritage and for many years conducted evening Spanish lessons for parishioners at St. Margaret of Cortona parish in the NW Bronx.

Sr. Yolanda loved life and lived it to the fullest and share her strengths and talents that were uniquely her own. She always reflected the joy and enthusiasm of her God whom she served faithfully as a Sister of Charity for so many years.

Rest in Peace, Yolanda!

DIED
Sunday, October 17, 2010
(age 94)

FUNERAL
Tuesday, October 19

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery,
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters of
Charity of New York on
February 2, 1935.

She earned a BS degree in
History.

MINISTRIES

Bronx

• St. Raymond, 1946-47 &
  1967-70

Manhattan

• St. Veronica, 1936-38
• Grace Institute, 1972-2001

Staten Island

• Immaculate Conception,
  1938-46

Brooklyn

• Bishop McDonnell, 1970-72

Westchester

• Scarsdale: Immaculate
  Heart of Mary, 1947-55 &
  1959-63
• Harrison: St. Gregory,
  1955-59
• Yonkers: St. Ann, 1963-67

Dorothy Craddock grew up in Brooklyn and attended St. Joseph’s School and Mercy Commercial High School. After working as a Stenographer at the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum Society for two years, she entered the congregation.

Sr. Marian Joseph, as she became known in religious life, was a versatile teacher and spent 34 years in elementary education before moving on to the high school level.

After two years teaching home economics at Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn, Sister went back to school herself and received fashion design certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology. With her new training, she went to Grace Institute where she taught clothing construction for 25 years, then volunteered for four years. She retired at age 85. Grace students benefited from her careful and caring instruction as well as her more subtle and practical life lessons.

Like St. Vincent de Paul, Sr. Joseph had a special place in her heart for people who were ordinary and overlooked. She knew all the staff at Grace and made sure that others knew of their good qualities. She loved New York City and carried on a ministry of home visiting to the homebound.

Sr. Marian is remembered as an excellent and committed teacher, energetic and engaging, lighthearted and full of fun. She loved having summer duty at the congregation’s former summer home in Ventnor, NJ, and also enjoyed cross-country skiing with another sister.

Like hundreds of Sisters of Charity before her, she went about quietly doing good, and always bringing her special kindness and ready smile.

Sr. Alice Luby, SC  
(formerly: Sr. Antonia Miriam)

DIED
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
(age 92)

FUNERAL
Monday, October 18

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery,
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters of
Charity of New York on
September 8, 1936.

She earned a BA in English
and an MA in History.

MINISTRIES

Manhattan

• Incarnation, 1941-47
• St. Ignatius, 1982-86

Brooklyn

• St. Peter, 1938-41
• Bishop McDonnell HS,
  1956-62

Queens

• St. Gabriel, 1947-56

Westchester

• Port Chester: Our Lady of
  Mercy, 1962-65
• Shrub Oak: St. Elizabeth
  Ann Seton School, 1981-82

Suffolk

• Southampton: Sacred
  Hearts of Jesus & Mary,
  1965-67 & 1968-81

Bronx-born Sr. Alice loved being an educator, a vocation which spanned five decades in a broad range of elementary and high school teaching and administrative roles across three dioceses.

For most of her ministry, Sister was a teacher, except for the three years she served as principal of Our Lady of Mercy School, Port Chester.

She embodied the educational mission that Sisters of Charity have followed since the days of St. Elizabeth Seton: to form the hearts of young persons to love God, and to “sow in their minds the seeds of useful knowledge.” When she “retired” (in name only), Sr. Alice became indispensable in numerous ways at Our Lady of the Angelus, Rego Park.

Sister spent her last years in diminished health at the Convent of Mary the Queen, where she bore eloquent witness to the prayer of patience. Frail yet alert, with a gentle smile, she waited for the God she loved and served to bring her home at last.

Sr. Alice was pre-deceased by her Irish-immigrant parents Thomas and Julia (nee Byrne) and five siblings. She is survived by her brother Bernard, sister-in-law Yolanda , and multiple nieces & nephews.

May the God of all Charity welcome this true Sister of Charity to the fullness of life.

DIED
Saturday, October 2, 2010
(age 94)

FUNERAL
Wednesday, October 6, 2010

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery,
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1933.

She earned a BA in English and a MA in Spanish.

MINISTRIES

Staten Island

• St. Peter, 1935-57

Manhattan

• Blessed Sacrament,
  1957-67

The Bronx

• St. Barnabas, 1975-86
• St. Raymond Academy,
  1986-91

New Rochelle

• Adult Learning Center,
  1991-95
• Holy Name of Jesus Parish,
  1995-2010

Yonkers

• Elizabeth Seton College,
  1967-73
• St. Joseph Hospital,
  1973-75

Sr. Florence’s active ministry was long and varied; she was a dedicated educator and worked until just recently.

Her favored ministries were with the poor, especially the Hispanic immigrants. She was a living witness to the ideal of the Sisters of Charity “…to see Jesus Christ in the person of the poor and to render every possible spiritual and corporal service in our power.”

Most of her service was in the field of teaching Spanish. Of her two years service as an interpreter at St. Joseph’s Hospital, one co-worker recalled that Sr. Florence was paged as often as the doctors on duty.

After her “retirement” in 1991, Sr. Florence became involved in various services in the local community and her parish of Holy Name of Jesus in New Rochelle – home visiting, teaching ESL to adults, ministering in H.O.P.E. Community Services or the Doyle Senior Center, enjoying the Senior Book Club, serving as a Lector as Mass, and bringing Holy Communion to the homebound. She was honored for her volunteer activities by the AARP in 2007.

By nature a joyful person, Sr. Florence enjoyed wherever her life commitment brought her, including going to Guatemala to help with a new mission house.

FUNERAL
Friday, August 20, 2010

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

MINISTRIES

Bronx

• St. Augustine, 1940-42
  
• Blessed Sacrament,
  1942-59
• St. Raymond, 1959-66
  & 1986-89
• St. Anthony, 1970-78
  & 1979-80
• Cardinal Spellman,
  1990-91
• Mt. St. Vincent Convent,
  1991-92

Manhattan

• Epiphany, 1978-79 & 1980-84

Westchester

• Yonkers:  St. Peter,
  1966-69
• White Plains:  St. John, 1969-70  

Helen attended St. Charles Borromeo School and Cathedral High School where she developed a love and respect for the Sisters of Charity of New York who taught there. After graduating from Cathedral, Helen worked for the Telephone Company before entering the Congregation on February 1, 1940. 

Sr. Jeanne De Lourdes, as she became known in religious life, had devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes all her life and instilled this piety in the many children whom she met in her various ministries of teaching, administration and religious education.

Sr. Jeanne taught almost every grade on the elementary level. She was Administrative Assistant at St. Anthony’s School in the Bronx and Religious Education Coordinator in Epiphany, Manhattan.

In her retirement years, Sister continued to substitute in elementary schools and delighted in stories of her children. In her years at the Convent of Mary the Queen, she greeted everybody with a smile, a wink and a laugh. You would receive a special twinkle if you presented her with a snack of candy.

Sr. Elizabeth Reilly, SC
(formerly: Sr. Marita Elizabeth)

DIED
Friday, July 30, 2010 (age 86)

FUNERAL
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1942.

She earned a BS in History and an MS in Social Studies.

EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES

The Bronx

• Sts. Peter & Paul, 1944-50

Manhattan

• Epiphany, 1967-70
• Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1970-74
• St. Ignatius Loyola, 1974-75

Brooklyn

• St. John Baptist, 1950-59

Staten Island

• St. Peter Elementary, 1975-76
• St. Peter HS for Girls, 1976-96

Outside New York City

• Southampton: Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary, 1959-61
• Wappinger Falls: St. Mary, 1961-62
• Yonkers: St. Joseph, 1962-67

VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES

The Bronx

• Sisters of Charity Center, 1996-2003

Elizabeth grew up with her sister and four brothers in Port Jervis in Orange County, NY. A year after graduating from the local high school, she entered the Congregation.

Sr. Elizabeth was a devoted educator. She spent 32 years in elementary education, then,  in 1976, began what would be 20 years on the high school level, where she taught Religion and Social Studies.

In all, Sister taught at 10 schools in seven counties across three dioceses.

At age 72, Sister began what would be seven years volunteering at the Sisters Charity Administrative Center at Mount Saint Vincent. There she served as the receptionist and cheerfully greeted all visitors and callers.

Sr. Elizabeth may have been petite in stature,  but she was a big presence wherever she worked.

She was affectionately called “PJ” by those closest to her who remembered her birthplace in Port Jervis.

Rest in peace, Elizabeth, and remember us before the throne of God!

Sr. Mary Martin Meehan, SC
(birth name: Margaret)

DIED
Thursday, July 22, 2010 (age 90)

FUNERAL
Tuesday, July 27, 2010

BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY

~  ~  ~

Sister entered the Sisters of Charity of New York on February 2, 1945.

She earned a BS in Nursing from St. John’s  University and a MS in Nursing Education from Hunter College, Bellvue.

MINISTRIES

Yonkers

• St. Joseph’s Hospital, 1946-57
• Convent of Mary the Queen, 1967-70

Manhattan

• St. Vincent’s Hospital, 1957-67

Staten Island

• St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 1970-99
• Director of the School of Nursing, 1973-94
• Volunteer, 1994-99

Margaret was born in February 1920 in NYC; she was the oldest of five children. She attended St. Paul School, Cathedral HS, and Grace Business Institute.

At St. Vincent’s in Manhattan, Sr. Martin held posts of supervisor and night administrator before leaving there to serve the retired Sisters at the Convent of Mary the Queen, a work very close to her heart.

Sr. Martin worked for 29 years on Staten Island. As the Director of the School of Nursing at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, she became a strong advocate of nursing as a second career. In addition, Sister served on many committees within the Medical Center and in organizations in the wider civic community. She was a Board Member of Bayley Seton Hospital, and served on the Advisory Committee of Seaview Home and Hospital.

When she accepted the Dr. Richard Bayley Humanitarian Award, Sr. Martin said, “The award is not so much about me, but it is for all those who have helped me and supported me over the years,” a typical sentiment for Sister.

In her later years at Mary the Queen, Sister entered into all services and activities from being a lector at Mass to welcoming children from the neighboring schools who came to visit. She was always alert and generous in responding to the needs of those around her on the hall, in the dining room, and wherever there were people.

Sr. Martin now rests in peace with her many Sisters who have preceded her to the reward Jesus has reserved for those who love him.

She is survived by her sisters Helen T. White and Sr. Loretta John, SC (Josie), and several nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Martin and Mary White Meehan, her brother John and her twin Catherine.

Sign Sr. Martin’s guest book through
August 24, 2010 »

Sister received many honors over the years:

• The Soroptimist International of Staten Island as a Woman of Distinction in 1983. *
• SI Borough President “Award of Special Recognition” (Salute to Nurses of SI) on September 10, 1989.
• United Hospital Fund’s Trustee Recognition Luncheon bestowed the title “Hospital Trustee of the Year” upon Sr. Mary Martin (along with 2 others) who helped steer the course of SI’s hospitals on June 10, 1992.
• Bayley Seton Hospital on Staten Island bestowed the Dr. Richard Bayley Humanitarian Award to Sr. Mary at the hospital’s 12th annual anniversary ball on November 20, 1993.
• The Ancient Order of Hibernians (John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Division I) honored her work on October 27, 1995.
• The Mary Mastandrea Humanitarian Award from the Mu Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at the College of Staten Island / CUNY on April 29, 2003. (The Award Committee was unanimous in their decision to honor Sister.)