Age 93
Sister Mary Pauline Kuntne was passionate about sharing music and healing others.
She responded to a call to religious life after graduating from St. Mary High School in South Amboy, New Jersey. She was a gifted musician and pursued degrees in music and music education from Georgian Court University and Catholic University of America in respectively.
After teaching elementary school for two years, she was assigned to Camden Catholic High School in Princeton, New Jersey. Under her guidance, the music department grew steadily in instrumental, vocal and theatrical excellence over a period of 20 years. The Irish Marching Band performed at school events and competed for prizes in the Philadelphia area. The music curriculum was cited by Middle States evaluators as one of the best they had seen.
In 1970, Sister Pauline was called to pursue another dream: nursing. She became a primary nurse at Atlantic City Medial Center before advancing to oncology and surgery. She served as charge nurse for the Straight and Narrow program at Mount Carmel Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. She then assumed the position of Director of Health Services at Emmaus House in Perth Amboy.
In 1985 she was named Director of Prevention Services, Council on Alcoholism in Passaic. She ministered in that role for 26 years, directing multiple programs dedicated to education and prevention of alcohol and drug abuse.
Sister Pauline’s experience, good judgment and straight talk influenced the work of prevention services well into retirement. She will be remembered for giving her utmost energy, talent and passion to all of her ministries.