Maryknoll Sisters

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Gloria F. Ryan, M.M. died on May 23^rd, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 11^th, 1924, in Brooklyn, NY to Robert Ryan and Ann (Cannon) Ryan. She had one sister, Alice, and two brothers, Arthur and Raymond; all of whom have pre-deceased her.

Gloria attended Bayridge High School in Brooklyn, NY from 1938 – 1942. After graduating, she worked for Home Life Insurance Co., in NYC for three years doing clerical work while attending night classes at St. John’s University from 1944 – 1945. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY (from St. Agatha Parish, Brooklyn, NY) on September 6^th, 1945. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1948 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1951, also at the Sisters Center.

In 1947, Sister Gloria studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center Maryknoll, NY) there she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1951. She continued her education at City College, New York where she earned a Master’s Degree in Adult Education in 1973.

In 1951, Sister Gloria received her first overseas mission assignment to the Island of Luzon in the Philippines where she served for 14 years as a Religion and English Teacher to middle and high school students.

For the next several years she moved from place to place in the Philippines wherever she was needed. From 1964 – 1965, she served in Sto. Tomas Davao, Island of Mindinao teaching English and Religion in a high school; in Cateel from 1965 – 1969 she served as a high school Principal and made home visits to those in need; in Sigaboy from 1969 – 1970 she did parish work and taught adult education.

In 1975, Sister Gloria came back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to do Congregational Service until 1978.

Sister Gloria continued to work in the U.S., providing aid to runaway girls at St. Brigid’s Convent in New York City. During this time, she also taught adult education at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY until 1981. In addition, she did promotion and mission education in the New England area from 1981-1984 and also worked with Salvadoran refugees at St. Brigid’s Parish on Long Island from 1985 -1987.

In 1987, Sister Gloria was assigned to the Eastern US Region; She continued her ministry in St. Brigid’s Parish with the Salvadoran refugees doing home visits, helping with employment, housing and Christian Community development.

From 1992 – 1994, Sister Gloria returned home to take care of her elderly mother.  In 1995, she semi-retired in Terryville, CT, however, she continued to volunteer her services doing parish work.

In 2000, she fully retired at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services: A Vespers Service for Sister Gloria will be held today, May 27^th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 28^th, followed by Interment in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marie Ann Lipetzky, M.M. died on May 19^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on December 28^th, 1923, in Clements, MN to Al Lipetzky and Ann (Heitzig) Lipetzky. She had ten siblings: five brothers and five sisters; she is survived by her four sisters.

Marie Ann attended high school at Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN from 1936 -1941. On July 2^nd, 1941 she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY (from St. Joseph Parish, Clements, in the New Ulm Diocese, Minnesota). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1944 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1947, also at the Sisters Center.

From 1943 – 1947, she studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY). There, she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then attended The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN where she earned a second Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science in 1948. She also spent three summers studying Gregorian Chant at Pius X School of Liturgical Music and was responsible for all liturgical music at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. She then continued her education at St. Louis University, MO earning a Master’s Degree in Religious Education in 1970.

In 1954, Sister Marie Ann received her first overseas mission assignment to the Philippine Islands where she served as librarian and music teacher at Maryknoll College, Quezon City.

In 1960, she was assigned to teach at Maryknoll Convent School in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong until 1972.  She then studied Cantonese for one year before going to live in the Young Workers’ Center where she worked in liturgy, choir. During this time, she also worked as a staff member for the parish at Sau Mau Ping, a government housing project. There, she did home visits to those in need for the next 5 years.

In 1981, Sister Marie Ann returned home to care for her elderly mother until 1984. She then returned to Hong Kong in 1985, to work with the elderly in Yuen Long, New Territories, at project of Caritas until 1998.

From 1998-2005, she was missioned in Macao – China doing parish catechetical work, preparing catechumens for baptism and making home visits to the elderly.

In 2005, Sister Marie Ann returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as a volunteer on the Sisters Pastoral Care Team for one year. From 2006-2008, she worked as Co-Coordinator of the Sisters “Chi- Rho” Community and served as a Delegate at the Congregation’s General Assembly. Sister Marie Ann remained active at the Sisters Center, serving as a member of the Worship Committee and Choir until 2019 when she retired.

Funeral Services: A Vespers Service will be held on Wednesday, May 26^th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. A Funeral Mass will follow on Thursday, May 27^th, 2021 also in the Annunciation Chapel.