Maryknoll, NY: Sister Virgeen Healey, M.M. died on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 99 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 79 years
On June 27, 1924, Mary Virgeen Healey was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Laura (Brock) and Edward Healey. She had two brothers, Edward and Richard and one sister Doris; her niece, Gail Baruzzini-Garey and her nephew, Louis V. Baruzzini, survive her.
Sister Virgeen attended Harrison Grammar School and St. Mark’s High School in St. Louis where she graduated on June 6, 1943. She went to Catholic University in their San Rafael, CA campus and earned a Certificate in Religious Education in 1958. She graduated from Mary Rogers College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Community Service, with a minor in Religion. She received her Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from Maryknoll School of Theology, Maryknoll, NY in 1988.
She entered the Maryknoll Sisters at Maryknoll, NY on September 6, 1944 from her home parish, St. Rita’s Church. She pronounced her First Profession of Vows on March 7, 1947 in Maryknoll, NY and her Final Vows on March 7, 1950 in Guadalupe, CA.
Sister worked at the Maryknoll Seminary kitchen in Maryknoll, NY and taught catechism classes in Carmel, NY in 1947-48. In 1949, she was assigned to Guadalupe and Stockton, CA teaching catechetical work in the parishes.
She received her first overseas assignment to the Philippines in 1960 where she was missioned for over 40 years – engaged in teaching, pastoral work and religious Education in parishes, and social work. She worked with the marginalized especially the urban poor. She returned to Maryknoll, NY in 2007.
In 2007, Sister returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services as part of the Mission Awareness Promotion team until her retirement in 2013.
Funeral Services:
A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Virgeen Healey on Thursday, November 16, 2023 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 Friday, November 17, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.