Age 93
Tender and loving, Sister Joan was known for her quiet, helpful presence, good humor, and humility.
After attending Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Merion, Pennsylvania, at the age of 18. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Joan was dedicated to her vowed life, generously serving in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, Florida, and Maryland. Teaching elementary school for 25 years, she served as principal for one year at St. Rose of Lima in North Wales, Pennsylvania, and for five years at Sacred Heart School in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania.
Living in Florida for 23 years, she ministered as director of religious education at St. John the Apostle School in Hialeah for three years and at Church of the Epiphany in Port Orange for eight years. She also was a pastoral associate for Ascension parish in Melbourne for 12 years. Next, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she served as a pastoral assistant at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart for two years, St. Ambrose parish for three years and Mercy Medical Center for eight years.
In 2016, she returned to the Convent of Mercy in Merion, Pennsylvania, sharing her love of God’s people wherever and in whatever way she was needed.