Maryknoll, NY: Sister Sophia Aihara, M.M. died on August 3rd, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 97 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 69 years.
On November 14th, 1925, Sister Sophia Setsuko Aihara was born in Uchida, Ashiya, Hyogo-ken, Japan to Suzuko (Kitagawa) and Masao Aihara. She had four brothers, who have all predeceased her. Her nephew Masakazu Aihara and his family in Kobe, Japan survive her.
From 1938-1943, Sophia attended Sacred Heart Girls High School (Seishin Joshigakuin) in Obayashi, Japan. She then attended Kobe University for two years and transferred to Doshisha University in Kyoto where she received her B.A. Following her studies, she taught at Sacred Heart Girl High School for several years before entering Maryknoll. Sophia entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, NY on August 28th, 1954 from her home parish of Kyoto, Saiin. She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1957 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7th, 1963 in Japan.
In 1957, Sister Sophia received her first mission assignment to Japan. She assisted in the vestment-making project at Matsugasaki in Kyoto. She then moved to Saiin Parish doing pastoral work from 1959-1961. Later, she continued her pastoral ministry in the Ise Parish in Mie Prefecture. From 1964-1969, Sister Sophia taught English, Math and Religion at the Maryknoll Girls’ School in Yokkaichi City.
For one year, 1968-1969, she came back to the United States to study at Fordham University. In 1969, she returned to Japan to continue her studies at Sacred Heart University in Tokyo where she received her M.A. in English Literature in 1971. After her studies, Sister Sophia taught English and English Literature at Sacred Heart University Junior College in Tokyo until 1987. She then moved to Kichijoji doing a variety of ministries including: working for Encyclopedia Britannica doing translation and editing of articles on religion and related topics; bible study classes as well as other classes with women’s groups at Kichijoji Parish; assisting AA groups and helping a group of volunteer women prepare materials for the blind.
In 2015, Sister Sophia returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to retire. She remained at the Center until her death.
Funeral Services:
A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Sophia on August 30th at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 31st at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.