Age 78
Attracted to religious life at an early age, Sister Brenda entered the Religious Teachers Filippini while still in high school in 1959, and later, as a Filippini sister, ministered as an elementary and high school teacher and director of religious education. In 1972, she received her B.S. in elementary education from Seton Hall University, New Jersey, and in 1994, her M.A. in religious studies from St. Charles Seminary, Pennsylvania.
In 1996, feeling a call to the Sisters of Mercy, she began the process of transferring her vows, and made her final profession on August 28, 1999.
Some of her assignments included: pastoral associate at St. Matthias Parish, Somerset, New Jersey; director of religious education at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Township of Washington, New Jersey; staff chaplain of St. Joseph’s Manor in Trumbull, Connecticut; and life coordinator for the Sisters of Mercy residing at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, New Jersey.
The motto in Sister Brenda’s ring, “Jesus, My Joy!” expresses her life well. She had an infectious laugh and joie de vivre! She was always thinking of ways to bring joy to others, often buying thoughtful gifts for them. She loved to do jigsaw puzzles and credited doing them with Mom and Pop in her early years for her great ability to find even the most difficult pieces. She loved playing Rummikub and cards with her Community sisters most evenings until illness transferred her to McAuley Hall as a resident where she resided until her death.