Archdiocese of Newark death notices: April 2022
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in March:
Sister Madeleine Fahey, S.C. (Sr. Corrine Elizabeth)
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 14, 2022, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Madeleine Fahey, a Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth (Sr. Corrine Elizabeth), who died on March 4, 2022.
Former ministry in Archdiocese of Newark: St. Andrew’s School, Westwood, and Paramus Catholic. She devoted the next 33 years of her life ministering as an oncology nurse at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.
Sister Mary Patricia Moroney, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 29, 2022, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Mary Patricia Moroney, S.C., 86, (formerly Sister Helen Richard), who died on March 20, 2022.
Sister Mary Patricia was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of John Francis and Mary Margaret (Morrissey) Moroney. She entered the Sisters of Charity on March 3, 1953, and was a member for 69 years.
Sister Mary Patricia served in education ministry in New Jersey. Her teaching was dedicated to the primary grades she loved. She served at Saint Patrick, Jersey City; Holy Cross, Harrison; Saint Peter, Jersey City; Saint John, Orange; Corpus Christi, Hasbrouck Heights; Saint Francis, Ridgefield Park; Saint Mary, Jersey City; and Holy Trinity, Hackensack.
After concluding her teaching years, Pastoral Care at Saint Anne’s Villa became the focus of her ministry from 1994-1997. From 1997 until her retirement in 2009, she continued as a Volunteer Visitor, beautician, and decorator at Saint Anne Villa. She retired to Saint Anne Villa in 2009 and transferred to Saint Joseph’s Healthcare and Rehab Center in June 2021.
Sister Mary Patricia was a gentle woman who loved her Sisters of Charity, her family, and all things Irish.
She was predeceased by her seven siblings: sisters Elizabeth Moroney, Helen Messener, Ann Mirabella, and brothers John, Richard, Martin, and Thomas. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sister-in-law Shirley Moroney and many loving nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.
Sister Angelica Doris, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 25, 2022, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Angelica Doris, S.C., 102, who died on March 18, 2022.
Sister Angelica was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Edward Bernard and Julia C. (Collins) Doris. She entered the Sisters of Charity on March 25, 1946, and was a member for 76 years.
Sister Angelica graduated from Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, with a B.S. degree in Social Studies and from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, with an MPH degree in Public Health.
Sister Angelica’s early ministry was in education. She served as a teacher at St. Francis School, Richfield Park, NJ, and St. Mary’s School, Elizabeth, N.J.
The ministry of health care formed the framework for most of Sister Angelica’s service. She served as Administrator at the former All Souls Hospital, Morristown, NJ, and as Business Office Supervisor, Associate Administrator, and Assistant Administrator at Saint Joseph’s Hospital (St. Joseph’s University Medical Center) in Paterson, NJ. Sister Angelica also served as Project Manager-Division of Mission Service at the Catholic Health Association National Office, St. Louis, MO.
Sister Angelica served in Congregational Leadership as Councilor for the Western Province, as well as General Councilor and Assistant General Superior. She also served the Congregation as Director of Corporate Affairs and Consultant for Health Care and Hospitals. When Sister Angelica retired from formal ministry, she provided many hours of volunteer service to the Motherhouse local community, assisting with medical insurance enrollments and reimbursement issues.
Sister Angelica was the oldest living Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. She was a compassionate leader, a life-long learner, selfless, gracious, and kind.
Sister Angelica was predeceased by her sisters Sheila Doris, Jane Hannon, Mary Smith, and Patricia Remlinger and her brothers Edward, Thomas, and Daniel. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sister-in-law Peggy Doris, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great
grandnieces and great grandnephews.
Reverend Joseph F. Coda
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 31, 2022, at St. Mary’s Church, in Rutherford, N.J., for Reverend Joseph F. Coda, who died on March 27, 2022.
Father Joseph F. Coda was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark and, at the time of his death, was the oldest priest of the Archdiocese of Newark at age 103. Read more about him here.
Sister Maria Brigita Fitzsimmons, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 31, 2022, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Maria Brigita Fitzsimmons, S.C., 90, who died on March 22, 2022.
Sister Maria Brigita was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Bernard and Bridget (Dolan) Fitzsimmons. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Oct. 1, 1950, and was a member for 71 years.
Sister Maria Brigita graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, New Jersey, with a B. S. degree in Elementary Education. Sister Maria Brigita was an Educator in New Jersey. She served as a teacher at St. Rose of Lima School, Short Hills; St. Patrick School, Elizabeth; Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Washington Township and St. Paul School, Ramsey.
During her teaching ministry, Sister Brigita spent 25 summers caring for the frail and aging Sisters of Charity at the former Saint Anne Villa. After almost 40 years of teaching, Sister Brigita became a full-time staff member at the Villa, serving as Coordinator of Personal Services. From 2003 – 2018, Sister Brigita volunteered three days each week at Saint Vincent Nursing Home, Cedar Grove (now Saint Joseph’s Healthcare and Rehab Center). In 2020 when Sister Brigita became a resident there, she was warmly welcomed by many staff members who remembered her from her years of faithful service.
Sister Brigita was predeceased by her sister Theresa McCaffrey and her brother James. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sister, Sister Miriam Bernard, SSJ, her brother Bernard, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Featured image: Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, N.J. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark)
