Maryknoll, NY: Sister Ann Catherine Klaus, M.M. died on August 4th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on August 1st, 1928 in Marion, OH to Frank Klaus and Louise (Risch) Klaus. She had one brother, Francis and two sisters, Patricia and Barbara Rose. Her brother and sister, Patricia survive her.

In 1946, Ann graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Marion, OH. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters in Valley Park, MO (from St. Mary’s Parish, Marion, OH, Diocese of Columbus) on October 31st, 1947. She made her First Profession of Vows on May 8th, 1950 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows on May 8th, 1953, in Tanganyika, East Africa.

From 1950-1951, Sister Ann attended Maryknoll Teachers College in Maryknoll, NY. She then received her first assignment to Kowak, Tanganyika in East Africa. There, she studied Kiswahili for nine months and sewed all new habits for the Maryknoll Sisters when they switched their colors from grey to white. In 1954, she was assigned to Nyegina to take charge of the primary school. In 1958, she returned to Kowak for one year to teach and prepare young women aspiring to join the community of the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa. She then moved to Makoko-Musoma to teach religion and domestic science until 1961. That same year, she returned to Maryknoll, NY to finish her Bachelor of Education Degree at Rogers College.

In 1962, Sister Ann returned to Shinyanga in Tanganyika to teach. It was at that time that the new government of the United Republic of Tanzania was established (1964). Sister Ann honored the government’s request for Maryknoll Sisters to teach in secondary schools, relocating her to all girls’ secondary schools in Buhangiya in 1965 and in Mwamapalala in 1970.

In 1972, she relocated to Maswa and began moving to mission outstations, shifting her focus on leadership training for women and basic skills of cooking and sewing to improve their daily lives. She extended her ministry to Mwamapalala for pastoral ministry and continued to promote development and leadership training of village women. During this time, Sister Ann also wrote a cookbook in Swahili and later utilized it in her campaign to create solar ovens for the community in an effort to save trees from being cut down for charcoal.

In 1975, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she worked in the Congregation’s Development Department and Mailroom until 1977. After a few years, in 1979 Sister Ann returned to Bariadi, Tanzania to do parish work and women’s development. In 1983, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for renewal and worked as a Secretary in the Center Health Unit until 1986.

From 1987-1989, Sister Ann volunteered to go to Somalia to work in a refugee camp for Ethiopians under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Somali Health Department. In 1991, she returned to Tanzania working for one year in Sengerema where she taught pastoral courses to kindergarten teachers. The following year she served in Nairobi, Kenya at the Maryknoll Sisters World Section House until 1995.

For the next eight years from 1995-2003, she spent her time in Kalebejo, Tanzania assisting other Maryknoll Sisters with the VEMA Program-a Kiswahili word meaning “complete well-being”. This program included forty-seven outstations for basic education: teaching health practices, cooking, sewing and income-generation handicraft projects for the women. She then relocated to Mwanza, Tanzania from 2004-2010 to help HIV/AIDS patients, making visits to hospitals and assisting orphans and children in need with finishing school.

In 2012, Sister Ann returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she fully retired.

Funeral Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Sister Ann on Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. Burial will immediately follow in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Dolores Rosso, M.M. died on July 6th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 22nd, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA to Daniel Rosso and Anna (Brennan) Rosso. She was the eldest of five siblings and is survived by her brother Thomas and her sister Marie, who is also a Maryknoll Sister.

In 1942, Dolores graduated from Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, PA. She then began working in the office of the National Biscuit Company, Philadelphia, PA for one year. On September 7th, 1943 Dolores entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1946 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1949, also at the Sisters Center.

From 1945-1949, Sister Dolores studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Sisters Center), earning a Bachelor of Education Degree. She then received her first mission assignment to Hawaii. There, she spent the next 22 years teaching mostly English and Religion at the Maryknoll School (Punahou) on the island of Oahu. Sister Dolores was awarded by the State of Hawaii for “Teacher of the Year”. She also served for many years on the Council of Pacific Speech and as a member of the National Council of English Teachers. From 1967-1969, she continued her studies at the University of Hawaii, earning a Master’s Degree in English Literature. For the next 11 years, from 1971 – 1982, Sister Dolores served as Executive Director of the newly established Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.

In 1983, Sister Dolores returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve as the Director of the Maryknoll Sisters Archives. During her term, she helped facilitate the merger of the Maryknoll Mission Archives: a collaborative project of the Maryknoll Sisters, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, and Maryknoll Lay Missioners.

From 1991-1994, Sister Dolores returned to Honolulu, HI and became the Executive Director of the Spiritual Life Center, an ecumenical facility for retreats and workshops with a focus on Contemplative Outreach.

The following year, Sister Dolores was selected as Regional Archivist for the Maryknoll Sisters Central Pacific Region. In 1996, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve on the Coordinating Team preparing for a Congregational Gathering. Once again, she returned to the Central Pacific Region in 1998, this time to serve on the Regional Leadership Team for three years. From 2003-2010, she again worked with the Maryknoll High School Alumni Office.

In 2010, Sister Dolores retired to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

Funeral Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on Tuesday, July 13th, 2021. Burial will follow in the Sisters cemetery.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Agnes Chou, M.M. died on June 11^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on October 3^rd, 1928, in Kung Ch’eng, China to Antony Chou and Chow (Meng) Liang Chen. In addition, she had two sisters and two brothers who have all pre-deceased her.

Agnes entered the Sister Catechists of Our Lady, a Chinese Community trained by the Maryknoll Sisters.  After several years of mission work, from 1951 – 1953, she was sent to Macau, to complete her Secondary Education at St. Rose of Lima High School.  During that time, the Communist government disbanded her religious Community in China. Unable to return home, the Maryknoll Sisters brought her to Hong Kong where she worked in refugee settlements with the Maryknoll Sisters until 1962.

On May 2^nd, 1962 she joined the first group of Maryknoll Sisters to receive their Novitiate training outside of the United States at Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. She made her First Profession of Vows on March 19^th, 1964. From 1964 – 1971, she returned to Hong Kong and did catechetical work. She made her Final Profession of Vows there on March 19^th, 1970. She also studied at Chu Hai College, Hong Kong from 1967 – 1971, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

Sister Agnes left Hong Kong in 1971, for a six months furlough at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, New York. She then served at St. Teresa’s Parish in Chicago Chinatown from 1972 – 1979.  Within the same year, she became a United States citizen on October 3^rd, 1979.

From 1981 – 1983, Sister Agnes worked in the New York City Chinatown Health Clinic doing social work. Then from 1984 – 1985, she was, engaged in pastoral ministry and assisted with a refugee assistance program in Brooklyn, NY

In 1986, she returned to Chinatown NYC. During her time there, she worked in Social Services for Head Start and with Asian Family Services until 1989.

Sister Agnes returned to Boundary Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong in 1990 and worked at a hostel for young women until it closed in 1991. She then visited various parishes until 1996 working with the elderly and patients suffering from Hansen’s Disease in Northeast China.

In 2017, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

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.

Sister Janice McLaughlin, M.M. died on March 7^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 13^th, 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA to Paul McLaughlin and Mary (Schaub) McLaughlin. She had one sister, Mary Ellen, who has pre-deceased her.

In 1960, Janice graduated from St. Lawrence High School, Pittsburgh, PA. She then attended St. Mary of the Springs College in Columbus, OH from 1960-1961.

On September 2^nd, 1961, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, Maryknoll, NY (from St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish-Pittsburgh, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on June 24^th, 1964 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession on the same date in 1972 in Kitale, Kenya.

From 1964-1968, Sister Janice worked in the Maryknoll Sisters Communication Office, Maryknoll, NY.  During this time, she also organized the “War Against Poverty Program” in Ossining, NY. She continued her studies from 1967-1969 at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology, Anthropology – Sociology. She later studied at the University of Zimbabwe and received a Master of Arts Degree and a PhD in Religious Studies in 1992.

Sister Janice received her first overseas mission assignment to Kenya, East Africa in 1969. There, she studied Kiswahili in Makoko, Tanzania. She then relocated to Nairobi, Kenya in 1970 and spent the next seven years serving as Communications Coordinator in the Catholic Secretariat Office for the Catholic Church of Kenya, Coordinator of the Communications Department of Episcopal Conference, and was responsible for radio, TV, press, film and audio visuals.

Sister Janice went to Rhodesia in 1977, in the midst of war, at the request of Rhodesian Catholic Bishops’ Justice and Peace Commission to serve as Press Secretary.  Later, that same year, arrested for publishing fact-papers about the war, imprisoned and in solitary confinement for 3 weeks, then deported to the USA.

While in the USA Janice held a 1-year position in Washington, DC Office on Africa.

In 1979, Sister Jancie returned to Mozambique where she accompanied refugees from Zimbabwe. In 1981-1992, Sister Janice accepted a new assignment to Zimbabwe, (formerly Rhodesia) and served in diverse positions there including:  Education Consultant to the President and Publications/Curriculum Development Officer with the Zimbabwe Foundation regarding education and communications and helped to form ZIMOFA (Zimbabwe Mozambique Friendship Association for Relief Aid).

In 1992, Sister Janice returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Service in the Communications Office. She also served on the Sisters Committee for the Conrad N. Hilton Fund until 1997.

She once again returned to Zimbabwe in 1998, this time to Harare. There, Sister Janice was involved in adult education and peace building until 2009.

In 2009, Sister Janice, elected as President of the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation for a six-year term and returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

On May 18^th, 2014 the Board of Trustees of Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT conferred on her the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters for “her work in Kenya and Zimbabwe for many years to promote peace and reconciliation and to advocate for the poor and for the rights of young girls to attend school.”

In 2015, after her term as President, she returned to Harare, Zimbabwe – volunteering in “Africans for Catholic Social Teaching” with a strong commitment to work against human trafficking.

In the Fall of 2020, due to health needs, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY.

Sister Janice generously donated her body to science. A Mass of Resurrection will be livestreamed on Friday, March 12^th, 2021 from the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY.  Her cremains will be interred at Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery, Maryknoll, NY at a later date.

Sister Marion Phillips, M.M. died on February 26^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on November 28^th, 1934, in Jamaica, New York to Michael Phillips and Mary (Costello) Phillips. She is survived by her twin brother, Rev. Msgr. Michael Phillips of the Brooklyn Diocese, NY.

In 1952, Marion graduated from Our Lady of Wisdom High School, Ozone Park, NY. The following year she attended St. John’s University College, Brooklyn, NY.

On September 2^nd, 1953 Marion entered the Congregation (from St. Paschal Baylon Parish, St. Albans, NY). She made her First Profession of Vows on September 8^th, 1956 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Profession of Vows on September 8^th, 1962 in Japan.

Following her First Profession of Vows, Sister Marion worked at the Maryknoll Sisters Center Donor Relations Office, communicating with donors and recording gifts until she received her first overseas mission assignment to Japan in 1959. There, she studied the Japanese language and culture in Kyoto and Ueno until 1969, then began teaching English and catechism in Ise Shi.

In October of 1969, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to join the Maryknoll Sisters Cloister (presently known as the Contemplative Community).  This prayer group is a very important part of the Maryknoll Sisters Congregation, which became a reality in 1932 and continues strong today. She committed to the contemplative way of life; which is simple, rooted in mission, and focused on prayer for those in active ministries and the needs of the world. The group mainly resides at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY, but has had a Contemplative presence mission houses in Thailand, South Sudan, New Mexico and Guatemala.   At present, only the Guatemala mission remains outside of the community in Maryknoll, NY.

From 1972-1984, Sister Marion relocated to Gallup, NM to join the Contemplative Community Group there and served as a prayer presence near the Navajo Nation. While there, she served as the Coordinator of the Gallup Contemplative Group and as a Regional Governing Board Member from 1979-1983. During that time, she also attended Kawai Art School, CA to study oriental brush painting and traveled to India to participate in an East-West dialogue on prayer and spirituality.

In 1985, Sister Marion returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY to serve as Coordinator for the group until 1990.

Her mission journey then took her to Thailand, to join the Contemplative Community there and study the language and culture. In 1992, she returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY where she remained until once again being assigned to Thailand in 2004. Sister Marion spent the next eight years as part of a collaborative contemplative prayer presence (with another Maryknoll Sister, Ursaline Sisters and Thai Jesuits) at Santi Wana Ashram, an Ecological Center among Buddhists and Christians.

In 2013, Sister Marion returned to the Contemplative Community, Maryknoll, NY.

A Memorial Service for Sister Marion will be held on March 5^th, 2021 and livestreamed from the Annunciation Chapel at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in NY. Interment in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery will follow.

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.