Maryknoll Sisters

Sister Helen Dorothy Phillips, M.M. died on February 15^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on April 14^th, 1926, in Hollis, NY, to Margaret (Murphy) Phillips and Patrick Phillips. She had four brothers and three sisters: Edward, Henry, William, Robert, Margaret, Anne and Patricia; she is survived by Robert and Patricia.

In 1940, Helen first attended Dominican Commercial High School, Jamaica, NY, then transferred to Mercy Juniorate High School, Brooklyn, NY from 1941-1943. She later graduated from Andrew Jackson High School, St. Albans, NY in 1944.

Following high school graduation, Helen entered the Congregation on September 6^th, 1944 (from the Church of the Incarnation, Hollis, NY).She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1947 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession on March 7^th, 1950 in Mountain View, CA.

Sister Helen was first assigned to work in the kitchen and bakery for the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Clarke Summit, PA. In 1948, she transferred to the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate, Valley Park, MO, where she taught baking and Gregorian Chant to the novices.  She then began working with migrant workers in Mountain View, CA, teaching catechism and working in a bakery in 1949. For the next eight years, she continued her catechetical ministry across the country in places such as: Stockton, CA, Houston, TX and Guadalupe, CA,

From 1957-1960, she attended Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY), where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Sister Helen received her first overseas mission assignment in 1960 to Juli, Peru. There, she began her catechetical ministry until 1961, when she was re-assigned to Riberalta, Bolivia to teach elementary and high school students and engage in youth ministry. In 1966,

she relocated to Arequipa, Peru to serve as high school principal and provide pastoral outreach to the community until 1972.

During this time, she also continued her education, attending the Instituto Superior de Pedagógico, Lima, Peru, where she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree in History/Geography and Biological Studies in 1969. She returned to Arequipa, Peru in 1973 to serve as principal of an “all girls” high school until 1975.

In 1975, Sister Helen returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service, working in the Development Department doing mission education and promotion work for three years.  During this time, she also continued her studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies at the Maryknoll School of Theology (located on the property of the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY) in 1979. That same year, she was elected to serve as a Member of the Maryknoll Sisters Center Council until 1982.

Sister Helen then moved to New York City where she worked as a Coordinator of Secondary Education in the National Office of the Propagation of the Faith until 1989.

Her next mission journey took her to Hawaii, where she focused on ecumenical and pastoral outreach and assisting with Spanish translations in Honolulu from 1991-1993.  Sister Helen transferred back to Bolivia in 1993 to work in Administration in the Cochabamba Language School until 1996.

In 1997, Sister Helen returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll NY to semi-retire, but remained a very active volunteer.  She served in many Congregational Services capacities, including helping to initiate and administer the Maryknoll Sisters website and reorganize the photo archives department.

Funeral Services: Due to the pandemic, a Memorial Service was livestreamed for Sister Helen on February 19^th, 2021 at the Annunciation Chapel, Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. Interment in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery followed.

Sister Madeline “Maddie” Dorsey, M.M. died on February 13^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  Maddie was born on June 26^th, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY to Katherine (Poleon) Dorsey and John Dorsey. She had one brother and two sisters: John, Madeline and Kathryn; all of whom have pre-deceased her.

In 1936, Maddie graduated from St. Francis Xavier Academy, Brooklyn, NY.   On December 8^th, 1936 she entered the Congregation (from St. Patrick’s Parish, Brooklyn). She made her First Profession of Vows on June 30^th, 1939 and her Final Profession of Vows on June 30^th, 1942; both at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

From 1940-1945, Sister Maddie studied at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. She then studied at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO and became Certified in Hospital Administration in 1949. Later, in 1976 she earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies at Maryknoll Seminary, Maryknoll, NY.

Sister Maddie received her first overseas mission assignment to Panama in 1945. For four months she worked in public health and taught catechetics and was then assigned to Riberalta, Bolivia. There, she spent the first few years serving as a public health nurse/nursing supervisor and then helped set up a jungle hospital. In 1949, she moved to Ceylon where she served as a nursing supervisor in a government hospital in Candy.

Ten years before the Civil Rights Act banned racial discrimination in the workplace, Sister Maddie returned to the U.S. and worked with a team of Maryknoll Sisters, who opened the first racially-integrated hospital, Queen of the World Hospital, in Kansas City, MO in 1955. On “Bloody Sunday,” Sister Maddie and another Maryknoll Sister were placed on the front lines of that march, from Selma to Montgomery, AL representing the black doctors who worked with them at Queen of the World Hospital.

Sister Maddie then relocated to Peru to work in the Puno Hospital as Nursing General in the pre-mature obstetrics ward from 1966-1971. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY for Congregational Service, assisting with health services in the Sisters Bethany Nursing Home until 1976.

The next 16 years of her mission journey (1976-1992) were spent in Central America, where she engaged in pastoral work, administered preventive medicines and helped build basic ecclesial communities in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. From 1976-1981, Sister Maddie was on mission in El Salvador during the tumultuous civil war years. She lived in one of the poorest areas of the country and when the killing began, she comments, “We spent a lot of time simply accompanying people in their grief.” When the four churchwomen, Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Lay Missioner Jean Donovan and Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel were brutally murdered by National Guardsmen in 1980, Sister Maddie was one of the Maryknoll Sisters who identified the bodies. In 1981, when the Salvadoran Church and government authorities said the safety of the Sisters could not be assured, they reluctantly left the country.

In 1993, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service, ministering to the elderly Sisters and helping with outreach among the Hispanic community through St. Ann’s Parish and the Open Door Family Medical Centers in Ossining, NY.  In 2001, she moved to West Haven, CT for a brief period and from 2002-2005 she semi-retired at the Maryknoll Sisters Community in Monrovia, CA. In both places, she volunteered in several community service opportunities.

In 2006, Sister Maddie returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to fully retire. During this time, she was always happy to respond to requests to be a speaker and witness for justice and peace events and retreats.

Funeral Services: Sister Maddie generously donated her body to science.  A Memorial Liturgy will be livestreamed on Thursday, February 18^th, 2021 due to the pandemic.  Her ashes will be interred at Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY at a later date.

Sister Patricia (Pat) Desaulniers, M.M. died on February 8^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on July 23^rd, 1921 in Boston, MA to Marie (Dolan) Desaulniers and Eugene Desaulniers.  She had two brothers and three sisters: Charles, Eugene, Ruth, Eleanor, and Marguerite. She is survived by her sister Marguerite.

In 1939, Pat graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Williamsport, PA. She then attended Williamsport Technical Institute (now known as Penn College of Technology) during her senior year for business courses. Following high school graduation, she also worked as a Billing Clerk at CA Reed Company for three years. During World War II, qualified by U.S. Civil Service, she worked as a Secretary for the Officer- in- Charge for the U.S. Army Air Force (at the Lycoming Division of the Aviation Corporation).

On October 5^th, 1946 Pat entered the Congregation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY (from Annunciation Parish in Williamsport, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6^th, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on April 6^th, 1952, also at the Sisters Center.

From 1948-1952, she attended Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center) and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.

Sister Pat received her first overseas mission assignment to Pusan, Korea in 1952! There, she helped with clinic admissions; taught catechetics and managed a Korean language study program for Maryknoll Sisters who were newly assigned to Korea.

In 1956, Sister Pat relocated to the Philippines, for the next 10 years she served as Principal in several high schools located in Malabon, Pakil, Santiago and Jimenez.  During this time, she also worked as a teacher in the Santo Tomas School District until 1965.  In 1968, she transferred to Manila to continue her studies in Sociology at the Asian Social Institute until 1970.  After two years of studying, she then served as Regional Governing Board Member, taught at the Asian Social Institute and planned seminars for faculty members at various Maryknoll Schools until 1974.  She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center for Congregational Service, working in the Communications Office until 1976

Sister Pat became involved in social work and pastoral ministry, working with the Southern KY Pastoral Missions in Burkesville, KY. In 1978, she transferred to White Oak, TN where she spent the next year engaged in community development efforts.  From 1979-2000, she served on the Regional Governing Board with the Maryknoll Women’s Network and also engaged in family ministry in Williamsport, PA.

In 2000, Sister Pat returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work as Business Manager of the Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute Program.  In 2008, she fully retired.

Funeral Services: Due to the pandemic, a private Memorial Service was held for Sister Pat on February 11^th, 2021.

Sister Mary Agnes Grenough, M.M. died on January 30^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on July 2^nd, 1933 in Louisville, KY to Bernadine (Dudine) Grenough and E.R. Grenough. She had three brothers and three sisters: John, Vincent, Richard, Mildred, Rose and Jean. Her brother John has pre-deceased her.

In 1951, Mary graduated from Loretto High School, Louisville, KY. She enrolled in a nurse training program at St. Anthony Hospital, Louisville, KY and received her R.N. in 1954. Mary then attended Nazareth College, Louisville, KY where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Education in 1956. Shen then continued her education and received a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education at St. Louis University, MO in 1960.

On December 30^th, 1956 Mary entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation in Valley Park, MO (from Christ the King Parish-Louisville, KY).  Her First Profession of Vows were on August 22^nd, 1959 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows were also on August 22^nd, 1965 on the Philippine Islands.

In 1963, Sister Mary received her first overseas mission assignment to the Philippine Islands, there she served as a Nursing Supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital in Manapla until 1969. From 1969-1972, she founded and directed the Diocesan Family Life Center; was Secretary of the Diocesan Social Action Committee in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and also conducted seminars, lectures and consultation services.

She then relocated to Quezon City to serve as a member of a health team doing paramedic training for adults in rural areas from 1973-1982.  Shen then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service working in the Office of Social Concerns until 1985.

Once again, Sister Mary returned to Quezon City to serve as a member of the health team, providing service in many different areas: member of the rural missionaries of the Philippines, paramedic training and health education, member of the Nationwide Council for Health Development (an NGO and inter-religious network of community based health programs), and committee member for political detainees until 2001. In 1994 Sister Mary received an award given by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippine Islands for her service to those in need.

Sister Mary then relocated to Myanmar, Cambodia to teach English, provide health education about HIV/AIDS and helped to develop the Myanmar Catholic HIV/AIDS Network until 2015.

She returned to the U.S. to retire, first residing at the Maryknoll Sisters semi-retirement community in Monrovia, CA and then later returning to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services: Sister Mary generously donated her body to science.  Due to the pandemic, a Memorial Service was privately livestreamed on February 5^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  Interment of ashes will be at a future date.