Sr. Jean Marie Noonan, RDC, (formerly Sr. Mary Michael), a Sister of the Divine Compassion, died peacefully on March 11, 2019.
Sr. Jean was born in Bronx, NY in 1924, the daughter of Frank and Elma (Oberholtzer) Noonan. She attended St. Thomas Elementary, Pleasantville and St. Mary’s High School, Katonah, NY. Sister received her BA in Biology from Good Counsel College and an MS in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s College in Hartford, CT.
Sister began her career in teaching at St. Frances de Chantal School, Bronx and continued her career at St. Anthony’s Elementary School in West Harrison, St. Lawrence O’Toole in Brewster, Preston High School in the Bronx, Good Counsel High School in White Plains and Kennedy Catholic in Somers. After years of teaching, Sr. Jean earned an RN degree in nursing. She served at Westchester Medical Center and Maryknoll Sisters Convent. Sister also participated in the Maryknoll Mission Program as a Maryknoll Associate Sister. During this period Sr. Jean traveled to South America to work with other Maryknollers.
Sister Laura Donovan, President of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion said, “In Sister Jean, we knew ardent faith, courage and love for God’s revelations. A student of science with a deep spirituality, she called us to a new awareness of the “Cosmic Christ.” Sister’s colorful presence shall be sorely missed. May she rest in peace.”
Sr. Jean Marie is survived by her Sisters of the Divine Compassion, and many loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brother Frank and her sisters, Elma Dellorso and Bernice Coleman.
