In Memoriam | School Sisters of Notre Dame

In Memoriam - Sister Mary (Arthur Mary) Smith

Sister Arthur Mary’s life is a quintessential SSND story—completely devoted to elementary school teaching and administration. In 1978 she began 16 years of service as Principal at St. Philip Neri School in Rochester, and 18 years as Principal at St. Boniface, Rochester, a foundation of the congregation in 1866 and her own grade school, of which she was the last principal.

In Memoriam - Sister M Julianna Poole

Sister Julianna was ahead of her time. An address at the presentation of one of her many awards, given in 1997, was titled, “Education, Multiculturalism, and the Future.” At her retirement in 2008. Julianna was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the President and Board of Trustees of Fairfield University, where she was a tenured professor.

In Memoriam - Sister Audrey McCarville (formerly Sister Philip Neri)

Life long educator Sister Audrey had a concern for the less fortunate and marginalized. While living in Waterloo, she volunteered at the House of Friendship and St. John’s Soup Kitchen. She always looked for ways to serve others, saying “We struggle in solidarity with those who are poor for justice and a global community.” On Palm Sunday we commemorated Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, may Jesus accompany Sister Audrey into the Heavenly Jerusalem.

In Memoriam - Sister Mary Charia Ripple

Catherine's vocation was inspired by her mother’s love and devotion. She had the courage to believe that one finds a friend in suffering. She valued this gift, not only for herself but as she encouraged others. Her strong belief in God’s presence taught her to find the way home to where God is always waiting.

In Memoriam - Sister Alfreda Kimpel

Sister Alfreda radiated joy. Her conversations were always positive and witty. Prayer was important to her and she had a loving relationship with both Jesus and Mary, which sustained her in her mission of loving service wherever and however she was called to minister, whether in Canada, England or Bolivia.

In Memoriam - Sister Eileen Pautler

Sister Eileen was an avid reader. She enjoyed knitting, especially baby sweaters. She eagerly took advantage of outings, particularly, those involving walking outdoors. Each day after her noon meal, Sister Eileen enjoyed a long walk outdoors with a companion Sister. On December 5, after her noon meal, God accompanied her for a walk into eternity.

In Memoriam: Sister Joellyn Grandchamp, SSND

Her ministry to her students and their families expanded while she was at St. Ambrose. She joined with Hatti Williams, a social worker, and the Sisters in community with her to gather needed items of all kinds and deliver them to the families in public housing. Of this service, she wrote: “The people we ministered to were truly the saints of today.”

In Memoriam - Sister Therese Messner

Sister Therese was a lifelong learner, she continued to grow in many different roles in schools and parishes throughout Canada. Sister was well-known for her skill in tatting, crocheting and knitting, In 1872, Mother Caroline herself gave wooden knitting needles to Sister Therese’s grandmother! Sister Therese was a deeply spiritual religious and showed an interest in each person she met.

In Memoriam - Sister Mary Ann Wood

Initially, sent to Puerto Rico in 1953 to teach, she spent a few years at St. Peter’s School in Philadelphia before going to Bolivia in 1964. There she was a classroom teacher in La Paz. Mary Ann’s many years of ministry there spread to adult education and evangelization. On her return to Baltimore in 1991, Mary Ann was employed by the Johns Hopkins Health Systems as a Spanish Language Specialist and Interpreter. She said about her years of work "I tried to live the gospel to its fullest among God’s people."

In Memoriam - Sister Eileen Morrissey

Sister Eileen Marie was deeply religious. Her demanding schedule in health care did not deter her from participating in community prayer. In difficult situations, she calmly trusted in God’s help. On her retirement as director of nursing, her healthcare staff held a farewell party. To quote from their address to her, “We nurses love and respect you and admire and compliment the high standard of care at SSND. We commit to you that we will uphold the tradition of excellent care and maintain the atmosphere of love and respect”.

In Memoriam - Sister Jean Hartleib

Sister Jean was a true educator in her ministries, whether in administration, SSND formation of postulants, parish ministry or in the classroom. Sister Jean was noted for her integrity, fairness, and compassion. She was particularly concerned about the less fortunate. The quote from You Are Sent Constitution #22, exemplified Sister Jean’s ministry, “Like Mother Theresa we educate with the conviction that the world can be changed through the transformation of persons”. May God welcome her home.

In Memoriam - Sister Agnes Plavcan

Sister Agnes, whose religious name was Sister Callista, spent her first 16 years of ministry teaching at Saints Peter and Paul School in Rochester, NY, and St. Luke in Westport, Ct. Beginning in 1971, as Sister Agnes, she pioneered the new role of Director of Religious Education at St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield. From 1974 until 1990, she served in this ministry at St. Mary, Norwalk; St. Gregory, Danbury; Notre Dame, Easton; and St. Bernadette, New Haven.