Sister Maureen O’Toole, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, NY, died on Sunday morning, September 5, 2021, in Dominican Convent, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. She was 86 years old.
Born in Clifden, County Galway, Ireland on April 7, 1935, Maureen was the daughter of Edward and Brigid O’Malley O’Toole. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8,1960 and received the name Sister Bridget Edward. She professed her first vows in 1962 and final vows in 1967.
Sister Maureen received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1965, and a MS in Religious Studies from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 1977.
Sister Maureen’s ministry of education included teaching at St. Rita School, Bronx, NY (1962-1956); Mary Queen of Heaven School, Brooklyn, NY; (1965-1967; and St. Mark the Evangelist School, St. Louis, MO (1967-1969). In 1969 Sister Maureen volunteered for the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill mission in Pakistan. Her commitment to the people of Pakistan spanned over 50 years. Sister Maureen’s ministry in the Pakistan Multan Diocese included Dominican Convent Principal (1969-1974); Adult Education at Purissima Center (1974-1977); Pastoral Institute Formation Program (1977-1980); Director of Novices (1980-1987); Raza Abad Mission (1987-1988); Loreto Mission (1988-1994); Formation Training Program, Sacred Heart Convent (1994-1995); Pastoral Minister, Dominican Convent (1995-1996); and Principal at the Ibn-e-Mariam School (1996-1999). Sister Maureen continued her ministry of presence and prayer until her final days.
Sister Maureen is predeceased by her parents Edward and Brigid O’Malley O’Toole and other members of her family. She is survived by loving nieces, nephews, Dominican Sisters, Associates, and her Pakistan community.
Sister Maureen’s wish to be missioned to Pakistan was fulfilled in 1969; throughout her 52 years there she ministered in a variety of capacities. Her pastoral presence and her commitment to the congregational goal to proclaim the Reign of God through ministry for justice and reverence for all creation made a difference as she embraced the journey and encountered the sacred. We thank God for Sister Maureen’s life and her radical living of the Gospel. Well, done, good and faithful servant, Sister Maureen O’Toole. May you rest in peace and . . . May the road rise up to meet you …and until we meet again may you be held in the hollow of God’s hand! Sister Maureen was buried in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, on Sunday evening, September 5, 2021, surrounded by her Sparkill Pakistani Community, Dominican Fathers, and the people she loved and served.