Lest We Forget
Sister John Winifred Sullivan, CSJP (1918-2009)
Welcome to this celebration of the Life of Sr. John Winifred Sullivan. On behalf of the Sisters and Associates of St. Joseph of Peace, I extend our sincere condolences to her niece, Winnie, her friends, and the entire Sullivan family.
Theresa Nora Sullivan was born in New York City on November 1, 1918, the second oldest of six children born to John and Winifred Kearns Sullivan. After graduation from Blessed Sacrament High School in 1936, she started her business career as a receptionist and dental assistant before moving on to the Controller’s department at the New York Life Insurance Company on Madison Avenue.
In November, 1943, Sr. John Winifred made an important decision, joining the WAC, the Women’s Army Corps, serving for three years at Camp Stoneman in Pittsburgh, California, as assistant to the Camp Dental Surgeon. After her discharge, she briefly returned to New York Life, leaving there in July 1947 to don a different uniform: that of a Postulant at St. Michael’s Novitiate.
Following profession of vows in 1950, Sr. John Winifred was missioned to the Correspondence ministry at the Printing Department at 81 York Street, Jersey City. As she excelled in not only correspondence, but also in the finance area, she was subsequently asked to serve at the Loretto Hall Residence for Women and then the Villa Marie Claire Guest House, handling rates, accounts payable and receivable, deposits, and bookkeeping, in addition to being available to residents for advice and consultation.
In 1959, Sr. John received a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling from Seton Hall University, and in January of the following year she was assigned to the Phillips Memorial Hospital, in Bukidnon, Philippine Islands, where she joined Sr. Bellarmine Heneghan and Sr. Ann Taylor. As she described her work there, it seems she was responsible for finance, admitting office, and the personnel department as well as visitors to this small hospital.
Seven years later, she returned to 81 York Street, and continued her ministry of correspondence, public relations and bookkeeping. Subsequently she was invited to serve as secretary to the Treasurer here at the Provincial House, where her many gifts and talents were evident. She served as bookkeeper for St. Michael’s Villa, and then Assistant Treasurer for St. Joseph Province. In 1993, Sister retired to St. Michael’s Villa.
Sr. John Winifred once wrote that she was “happy and contented” with her work and ministry. When asked to move or to take on new duties, she responded with faithfulness and love. At her retirement, Sr. Ann Rutan wrote: “She brought to the job a dedication and commitment that never wavered. We shall miss her presence at Shalom Center very, very much.”
Back in 1982, Sr. John Winifred had made this request: “As a World War II Veteran, I have the right and great privilege to have the American Flag on my coffin which I would very much appreciate.” As we have honored your request today, dear John, we also honor, thank, and bless you. And we truly rejoice that you are, at last, really home.
Sr. Margaret Jane Kling, csjp