Age 95
A cheerful, positive, kind person with a good sense of humor, Sister Monica enjoyed life and considered her vocation as a Sister of Mercy to be a blessing and lived it in a spirit of generosity and gratitude.
Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Monica met the Sisters of Mercy in her parish church St. Mary’s. She entered the Sisters of Mercy at the age of 19 in Watchung, New Jersey. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Georgian Court College (now University) in Lakewood, New Jersey, and a master’s degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin, in Madison, Wisconsin, continuing studies in social work at the University of Minnesota and Rutgers University.
Her teaching career began at Immaculate Conception School in Camden, New Jersey, followed by assignments in South Amboy and Camden Catholic High School, both in New Jersey. She later served as principal at St. Mary High, her alma mater, and concluded her teaching at Red Bank Catholic.
Sister Monica then transitioned to social service at the House of Mercy in Bridgeton, New Jersey, and parish ministry in Hightstown and South Amboy, New Jersey. In 1989, she joined the support staff at Georgian Court University and later directed religious education at St. Bernadette Parish in Northfield, New Jersey. Her final ministry was at St. John Vianney Parish, Colonia, New Jersey. She spent her last years at McAuley Hall among a beloved community.