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.

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.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Margaret (Peg) Mary Kilduff, M.M. died on January 24^th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.  She was born on July 15^th, 1932 in Johnston, RI to Mary Louise (Coutanche) Kilduff and Edward Kilduff.  She had four brothers and three sisters; all of whom have pre-deceased her except Edward and Louise.

In 1950, Peg graduated from St. Xavier’s Academy in Providence, ri. She then entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on September 6^th, 1950 (from St. Bridget’s Parish, Johnston in the Diocese of Providence, RI).  She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7^th, 1953 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1959, but in Arequipa, Peru.

From 1952-1956, Sister Peg studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY) where she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree.  In 1976, she also earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from the Maryknoll Seminary, Maryknoll, NY.

Sister Peg received her first overseas mission assignment to the Bolivia/Peru Region in 1956. Upon her arrival, she studied Spanish in Cochabamba, Bolivia for one year before transferring to Peru where she spent the next 60 years teaching and doing pastoral work!

In 1957, she began her teaching journey in Puno where she taught 1^st grade for one year. She then continued teaching primary levels, but transferred to Arequipa where she spent the next five years.  In 1963, she was needed in Lima, there she continued teaching elementary grades and catechetics for six years.

Sister Peg transitioned from teaching and became involved in pastoral work in 1969. Her pastoral ministry was with the Institute of Rural Education & Community Development in Caja de Agua and Ciudad de Dios, Lima from 1969-1987. She also served as Head of the Diocesan Commission for Social Communications, Resource Person for the Institute of Rural Education & Community, and offered human resource skills and religious formation to the laity until 2008.

She then retired from Diocesan work and helped initiate a Pax Christi group in Lima, while also continuing to do pastoral work with at risk youth. During this time, Sister Peg also served as a Regional Governing Board Member for the Maryknoll Sisters Peru Region Projects and on the Congregational Task Force until 2013.

In 2016, after spending six decades serving the people of Peru, Sister Peg returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to fully retire.

Funeral Services: Sister Peg generously donated her body to science. A memorial service will be livestreamed on 1/29/2021 due to the COVID pandemic.

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Dorothy McGowan, M.M. died on January 13th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on August 25th, 1934 in New York City to Catherine (Dalton) McGowan and Terence McGowan. She is survived by her only brother, Kenneth McGowan.

Dorothy graduated from St. Barnabas High School, Bronx, NY in 1952. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate, Maryknoll, NY on September 2nd, 1952 (from St. Brendan Parish, New York City). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1955 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1961, also at the Sisters Center.

After her First Profession of Vows, Sister Dorothy worked temporarily in the kitchen, Treasury Department and for the Field Afar Magazine office at the Maryknoll Seminary. From 1957-1961, she studied at Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the Maryknoll Sisters Center property) where she received her Bachelor of Education Degree. In 1963, she earned a Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Notre Dame University. 

Sister Dorothy received her first overseas assignment in 1963 to Malabon, Philippines. There she served as a high school religion and math teacher. In 1964 she transferred to Maryknoll College in Quezon City where she worked as Head of the Math Department, Dean of Students and taught math until 1973. She then transferred to Santo Tomas, Mindanao to teach in the local high school and do pastoral work.

In 1974, Sister Dorothy returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to serve on the Congregation’s Central Governing Board until 1978. She was then assigned to Bandung, Indonesia, first to study the language and culture and then to work in a community health program where she remained until 1987. From 1986-1990, she also worked in Seminary Administration.

In 1991, she received her next mission assignment to Kabupaten Aileu, East Timor. There, she did pastoral work, health work in the local parish clinic, part-time teaching in the high school and was the full-time Coordinator of the Family Life Program until 2014.

In 2015, Sister Dorothy returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to fully retire. 

Funeral Arrangements: Sister Dorothy’s body was interred in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery. Her Memorial Service was livestreamed on 1/22/2021 due to the COVID pandemic.