Lest We Forget
Sister Joan Kerwin Lalwer, CSJP (1927-2009)
Sr. Joan Kerwin Lawler was a true Brooklynite, and she delighted in the fact that she was born there on May 3, 1926. She was one of five children born to Eugene and Margaret Kerwin Lawler, and of her education, Joan wrote, “we were privileged to have been provided with a Catholic education for grades from 1through 12.”
From an early age, Joan knew that she wanted to be a nun, and when she announced her intention upon graduating from high school, her father would not hear of it! She was very disappointed and went to work at GM, but as she said, “I did not lose sight of my goal.” Eventually, with her mother and father’s blessing, Joan entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, and thus began a long, happy and productive life in the community she truly loved. Joan wrote, “I have been so blessed by this community; I’ve been educated beyond the norm; I’ve had opportunities in interesting and challenging ministries which afforded me many, many opportunities to grow and develop and to travel to many states and overseas.”
Sr. Joan had a keen mind for numbers and was a superb math and science teacher. She spent five years in the finance office at Holy Name Hospital, and went on to teach math and science at St. Luke’s High School, Ho-Ho-Kus, Madonna High School, Weirton, and St. James in Penns Grove. For ten years she served as Principal at Immaculate Heart Academy in WashingtonTownship.
Joan was always ready to do whatever the community asked of her, and in that spirit, she responded to the community’s request to pursue a degree in Canon Law. However, she did say, with a chuckle, “I had a nerve, didn’t I? I was 51 years old.” In 1981 she received her licentiate in Canon Law from Catholic University of America while at the same time serving as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools of the Archdiocese of Newark.
In 1984, Bishop Rodimer of the Paterson Diocese appointed Joan the Vicar of Religious, and the following year the Bishop appointed her the Vice Chancellor, an important position she held until 1994.
One of the many highlights of Joan’s life was being a recipient of the papal medal, Pro Eccelsia et Pontifice in recognition for her devotion and dedication to the Church, the Lord and God’s people.
As I said, Joan loved her community and was happy to be of service in elected leadership, on Boards of Trustees and committees; she was a woman with a great sense of justice, and as her friend Marianna Thompson said, “She was funny and fair, saintly and mischievous, reassuring during challenging times.” And of course she loved the Mets!
How would Joan like to be remembered? She told us:
I would like to be remembered as someone who cared–about people and about issues. I have loved the Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace since day one, and I am grateful to the community for the wonderful opportunities I’ve received–for education, travel, health care, etc. which enabled me to make a contribution to the peace and welfare of others.
Joan did indeed contribute to the welfare of others in numerous ways. As she enjoys the joys of her well-earned reward, we thank her and thank God for allowing her to be a part of our lives.
Maureen Collins, CSJP