Archdiocese of Newark obituaries: February 2023
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in February:
Sister Marie Victoria Bartkowski, C.F.F.S
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Marie Victoria Bartkowski at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Lodi, N.J. on Friday, March 3, 2023.
Sister Bartkowski (Sr. Vicky), of Wallington and most recently took residence at the Mother House of The Felician Sisters in Lodi, N.J. entered eternal life, surrounded by her beloved Felician Sisters, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. She was 80.
Sister Bartkowski was born in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 8, 1943 to Leonard and Wanda (Gulczynski) Bartkowski. She was one of 12 children and the third youngest. Sister Bartkowski was raised in Delaware and was attending high school when her parents died.
In 1961, at the age of 18, Victoria Bartkowski decided to dedicate her life to one of service and devotion to the Lord. She embraced the mission set forth by the Foundress of the Franciscan Felician Sisters, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, to whom sister had a special connection and devotion.
Sister Bartkowski had many accomplishments during her career in education and had taught in parochial schools throughout Delaware and New Jersey. She had also been the principal at Holy Cross High School in Dover, Dela., and Principal of Immaculate Conception High School in Lodi, N.J.
She had served as the RCIA Director for the Diocese of Camden, as well as a Pastoral Associate at St. Bridget University Parish in Glassboro, N.J., and Nativity Parish in Burke, Va. Sister was honored by the Diocese of Camden, N.J., where she received the Bishop’s Distinguished Medal of Honor. Sister Bartkowski has been serving in Wallington, N.J. at the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church since 1999, where she has been the Formation and Pastoral Associate.
Sister was active in the Most Sacred Heart Rosary Confraternity and could always be found selling lottery tickets at the Parish Picnic.
She is survived by two of her 11 siblings; her brother Bill and his wife Marianne Bartkowski, Jim Bartkowski; sisters-in-law Nonni, JoAnne, Dorothy, Theresa, and Martha. Sister Bartkowski is survived by her best and most devoted friend Sister Lisa Marie and her family, 32 nieces and nephews, their spouses, and several great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her Felician Family. She was predeceased by her sisters Toni Ivanitch and her husband Nick, Marie Mousley and her husband Walter, her brothers Frank, Leonard and his wife Phyllis, Gene, Richard, John, Joseph, and Stan, and her sister-in-law Karen.
Sister Claire Donnelly, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Claire Donnelly at the Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J. Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Sister Donnelly, (formerly Sister Claire Marita), a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died Feb. 19, 2023, at Saint Joseph’s Healthcare in Cedar Grove, N.J. She was 83.
Sister Donnelly was born in Waterbury, Conn., the daughter of Herbert and Dixie (Lamontagne) Donnelly. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Aug. 20, 1957, and was a member for 65 years. Sister Donnelly graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, N.J. with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and from Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York with an M.S. degree in Library Science.
Sister was an educator in the state of New Jersey. She served as a teacher at St. Peter School, Jersey City; St. Catherine School, Darlington; and St. Paul School, Clifton. She was Vice-Principal at St. Thomas School, Bloomfield; and Principal at St. Clare School, Clifton. S
he was Project Coordinator at St. Mary’s Hospital, Passaic, and Medical Resident Coordinator at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Paterson, N.J.
She moved to Saint Joseph’s in Cedar Grove in 2018 where she resided until her death.
Sister Donnelly was an educator for most of her religious life. Her gentle strength and caring patience enriched the lives of students over many decades. Sister Donnelly’s gifts as an educator extended to adults as a teacher of English as a Second Language and Health Project Coordinator. As a faithful Sister of Charity, she strove to “make God’s love known in the world”.
Sister Donnelly was predeceased by her mother Dixie LaMontagne Donnelly, and her father Herbert Donnelly. She is survived by her Sister of Charity family, her sisters Linda Hesketh, Deborah Poulin, Diane Weaver (Robert), Donna McIntosh (Jay), numerous cousins and friends, and her faithful friends Dr. and Mrs. Michael Credico.
Msgr. David C. Hubba
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Msgr. David C. Hubba at St. Joseph R.C. Church, Oradell by Cardinal Joseph Tobin C.Ss.R. and many concelebrating priests on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Msgr. Hubba of New Milford, formerly of South Orange, Nutley, Palisades Park, Paramus, Hackensack, Kearny, and Newark, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at the age of 74.
Born in Liberty, N.Y., after a short stay in northeast Pennsylvania, he moved with his family to Newark, N.J. attending St. Rose of Lima School served by the Sisters of Charity. He held lifelong fond memories of that parish and school, and he always attributed the roots of his priestly vocation to the good work of the priests and sisters of the parish.
After graduating from Seton Hall Preparatory School in the Class of 1966, he entered Seton Hall University, attaining a BA in Classical Languages. Subsequently, he completed Theology Studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary, earning an MA in Biblical Studies. Later, he earned another MA in Catholic Doctrine with a Pontifical Diploma in Catechetics at St. John’s University in N.Y.
Msgr. Hubba was ordained in 1974 and he was assigned to Holy Trinity R.C. Church, Hackensack (1974 -1990); Our Lady of the Visitation, Paramus (1990-1996); St. Michael’s R.C. Church, Palisades Park (1996-1998); St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Nutley as Pastor (1998-2010) where he had served as Deacon (1973-1974); Seton Hall University, as College Seminary Spiritual Director (2010-2013); and St. Joseph R.C. Church, New Milford as Pastor (2013-2023).
Devoted son of the late Peter and Marion (nee Isenburg) Hubba, dearest brother of the late Carol Hubba (and her husband Richard Bonath), Richard A. Hubba, Linda Fulmer, and the late John Hubba. He is also survived by his aunt, Joan Faraone, and her husband John, his nephew Eric Fulmer, several cousins and second cousins, and many friends and admirers.
