Sister Marie Joseph Morahan, OP died on December 19, 2019 in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY. She was 93 years old.
Born in New York City August 19, 1926, Evelyn Theresa was the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Dermody Morahan. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1945 and received the name Sister Marie Joseph. She professed her first vows in 1947 and final vows in 1952.
Sister Marie Joseph received a BA in English from Manhattan College, Bronx, NY, 1955 and a Master’s in Library Science from St. John University, Queens, NY, 1957.
Sister Marie Joseph began her teaching ministry at St. Rita School, Bronx, NY (1947-1949); St. Mark School, St. Louis, MO (1949-1951); St. Teresa School, Woodside, NY (1951-1955); St. Edmund HS, Brooklyn, NY (1955-1958); Cathedral HS Annex (1958-1960); and Albertus Magnus HS, Bardonia, NY (1960-1964; 1989-1999). She served as Librarian and Director of Library Services at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY (1964-1986); Suffern Public Library, Suffern, NY (1986-1987); Salesian HS, New Rochelle, NY (1987-1989). From 1999-2009, Sister Marie Joseph was a volunteer librarian at St. Paul, Valley Cottage, NY and at Albertus Magnus HS, Bardonia, NY (1999-2013).
Sister Marie Joseph is predeceased by her parents Thomas and Margaret Dermody Morahan, her sisters Frances Morahan and Sister Margaret Thomas, OP, her brother Thomas Morahan and her niece Theresa Morahan Simmons. She is survived by her nieces, Margaret Casola (James), Helen Travers (William), Maureen Pehush (Joseph), Joan Silvestri (Joseph), Nancy Shine (Michael), and Eileen Barker (Charles).
Through her ministry of education as teacher, librarian, and library director, Sister Marie Joseph touched the lives of many. She was committed to the mission of the Dominican Sisters for more than 74 years proclaiming the Word of God through a ministry for justice. May Sister Marie Joseph Morahan be welcomed into the fullness of God’s presence—well done good and faithful servant!