Obituaries for August 2024
Let us pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in August.
Father Rino T. Lavaroni
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated for Father Rino T. Lavaroni on Saturday, August 17, 2024, in Remanzacco, Italy.
Father Lavaroni passed away peacefully in Udine, Italy, on August 15, 2024, at the age of 81. His ministry spanned across Tuscany, Italy, and the U.S., with 35 years serving in the Archdiocese of Newark, ministering to the Italian community in Jersey City.
Born on April 16, 1943, in Remanzacco, Italy, Father Lavaroni entered the Seminary of Udine as a child. He was ordained a priest in Prato, Tuscany in 1967. In 1977, Father Lavaroni received a doctorate in Social Sciences at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Around the same period, he moved to the United States to dedicate himself to the pastoral care of Italian migrants in New Jersey. He was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Newark and served as Parochial Vicar at multiple parishes, including St. Joseph Parish in New Milford, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Bayonne, Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Park Ridge and Holy Rosary Parish in Jersey City, and as Pastor at Holy Rosary Parish, Jersey City.
In 2010, he returned to Italy. Despite physical limitations due to illness, Father Lavaroni continued celebrating the Latin Mass with devotion. His commitment to this tradition marked his final days, as he was buried in traditional vestments, symbolizing his enduring love for the Latin liturgy.
Sister Clare Mary Roden
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Clare Mary Roden, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
Sister Roden, 92, died Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in New Jersey.
Sister Roden was born in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Philip and Helen E. (Manning) Roden. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Oct. 2, 1949, and was a member for 74 years.
Sister Roden graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J., with a B.A. degree in English. Her first teaching assignment was at Saint Antoninus School in Newark, followed by assignments at Saint Joseph School in Paterson and Saint Bridget School in Jersey City. After receiving an M.A. degree in Education from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, she taught English, Religion, and Latin at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Hoboken, Saint John High School in Paterson, and Paramus Catholic Regional High School in Paramus. She served as the Supervisor of Schools at Western Province in Paterson. Sister Roden also served as Director of Religious Education for Annunciation Parish in Wayne, Saint James Parish in Totowa, and Holy Trinity Parish in Hackensack. Upon retiring, she moved to Saint Anne Villa in Convent Station in 2016 and continued her ministry by volunteering for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Sister Roden moved to St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa in 2021 and to St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare in Caldwell in 2023 where she resided until her death.
A devoted Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sister Roden inspired generations through her teaching. Her deep Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she found boundless joy in her religious vocation. Known for her humility, kindness, and loving nature, she cherished her community, family, friends, and students, always making time to send thoughtful cards and notes. Her unwavering commitment to her faith and community was matched by her gentle spirit and generosity, making her a beloved figure to all who knew her.
Sister Roden was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Helen Roden, her brother Joseph, sister-in-law Patricia, and brothers Robert and Frederick. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity Community, her sister-in-law Carol of Connecticut, and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.
Sister Bettyanne Schultz
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell, N.J., for Sister Bettyanne Schultz of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell.
Sister Schultz, OP (formerly Sister Mary Albert) had just celebrated her 75th Jubilee in April. She entered into eternal life on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at the age of 93, at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, N.J.
Sister Schultz, a woman of faith and compassion, was born in Jersey City, N.J. The daughter of Harold and Evelyn M. (McGiverin) Schultz, she entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on Sept. 8, 1949, received the habit on April 13, 1950, made her first profession on April 14, 1951, and made her final profession on April 14, 1957.
Sister earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Studies/Elementary Education from Caldwell University (formerly Caldwell College) in Caldwell, N.J., and a Master of Arts Degree in American History/ Political Science from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Sister’s educational background laid the foundation for her impactful ministry, especially in the classroom, where she was revered as a wonderful and inspiring educator. Sister Schultz ministered as a teacher in St. Mary School in Rutherford, N.J.; St. Catherine of Siena School in Mobile, Ala.; St. Virgil School in Morris Plains, N.J.; St. Mary School in Wharton, N.J.; St. Philip the Apostle in Clifton, N.J.; St. John the Apostle in Jersey City, N.J.; Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair, N.J. and St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City, N.J. Sister’s leadership skills were recognized when she became principal of St. Brigid School in North Bergen, N.J.; St. Catherine of Siena in Mobile, Ala.. and her beloved alma mater, Saint Dominic Academy in Jersey City, N.J., where in retirement she also taught, substituted, and volunteered.
Her quiet wisdom, generous spirit, and easy smile, which permeated all she did, are part of the legacy she leaves behind. Sister touched the lives of many students, parents, and colleagues with her warmth, kindness, and love of American History and Political Science. She was also a very dedicated New York Yankees fan. Throughout her life, she was committed to the mission of the Sisters of Saint Dominic, proclaiming the Word of God in word and deed.
Sister Schultz was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Evelyn, and her brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Gloria Schultz. She is survived by her nieces Kathleen (Ronald) Murphy, Suzanne Weber, and Joanne Street; her nephews Harold (Bonnie) Schultz, Jr., Stephen Schultz, and Raymond Schultz; her many grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews; and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic.
Sister Patricia Beaumont
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Patricia Beaumont, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
Sister Beaumont, 95, formerly Sister Daniel Margaret, died Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, N.J.
Sister Beaumont was born in Irvington, N.J., the daughter of Harold and Margaret (Hogan) Beaumont. She was the oldest of six. Sister entered the Sisters of Charity on Oct. 2, 1948, and was a member for 75 years.
A well-educated woman, Sister Beaumont graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, N.J., with a B.A. degree in French; from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y., with an M.A. degree in French; from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., with an M.A. degree in Theology; and from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., with an MSW degree in Social Work. Sister also received a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.
Sister Beaumont was an educator in the State of New Jersey. She served as a teacher at the Academy of St. Aloysius, Jersey City; Star of the Sea Academy, Long Branch; St. Vincent Academy, Newark; East Orange Catholic High School, East Orange; and St. Aloysius High School, Jersey City. She was Religious Education Director in Reading, Mass.; Our Lady of Lourdes School in West Orange, N.J.; and St. Paul School in Jersey City, N.J.
Sister Beaumont served in Pastoral Ministry in New Jersey at St. Joseph Parish, Oradell, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ridgewood. She was a Clinical Social Worker at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, N.Y., and became a volunteer at St. Vincent Academy, Newark, NJ. As a student, teacher, and volunteer at St. Vincent Academy for several years, Sister Beaumont had a long-standing connection with the school. Sister also provided valuable volunteer help at Josephine’s Place in Elizabeth.
Described as the glue of her family, Sister Beaumont attended every family get-together she could and always spoke lovingly of her family. In her long life, Sister Beaumont developed many interests; she was active and independent until a short time before her death. She was a devoted Sister of Charity and enjoyed being with and helping her fellow Sisters. She was engaging, thoughtful, and very generous.
Sister Patricia was predeceased by her parents and her brother-in-law, Robert Weber. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her sisters Blanche Weber, Shirley Winrow (Walter), Christine LaPolla (John), and Mary Jacqueline McCarthy (Michael), her brother Daniel Beaumont (Doreen), and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Sister Teresa Regina Confroy
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J., for Sister Teresa Regina Confroy, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
Sister Confroy, 91, died Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, N.J.
Sister Confroy was born in Newark, N.J., the daughter of Edward A. and Jessie (Gebhard) Confroy; she was the youngest of eleven children. Sister Confroy entered the Sisters of Charity on April 2, 1951, and was a member for 73 years.
Sister Confroy graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Paterson, N.J., with a Diploma in Nursing. She received a BSN in Nursing from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.. and an MSN in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
Sister Confroy began her ministry as a second-grade teacher at St. Michael’s School in Union City, N.J. She studied at the College of Saint Elizabeth (now University) in Morristown, N.J. After this, Sister Confroy began her more than 65 years of service in health care as a registered nurse. She served at Saint Joseph Hospital & Medical Center in Paterson for over 23 years. During this time, she served as staff nurse, head nurse, nursing supervisor, clinical specialist, director of nursing, and vice president of patient care services.
Sister Confroy also worked for the Ocean County, NJ, Health Department for more than 17 years. She was a Staff Nurse in Home Care, Supervisor of Clinic Services, and Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing there.
Sister Confroy served in ministry to the Sisters of Charity as well. She was the first Coordinator of the Health and Lifestyle Transition Services Office and later served as a nurse for the Motherhouse local community at Convent Station.
In 2022, Sister Confroy moved to Saint Joseph’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Grove, where she resided until her death.
Sister Confroy was known as a competent, compassionate, and caring person. Her gifts for leadership were recognized, and she served as a mentor to many young nurses. Clinical staff and others frequently sought her wisdom. Sister Confroy loved her family and remained close to them through the years.
Sister Teresa was predeceased by her parents; her sisters Jessie Coakley, Mildred Ehret, Elizabeth Scheick, Cecilia Meringer, and Mary Mayer; her brothers Edward Confroy Jr, Andrew Confroy, Reverend Mark Confroy, OSB, James Confroy, and Abbot Thomas Confroy, OSB, her nieces Barbara Davis, Marie Koelbel, and Sister Elizabeth Scheick, SC. Sister Teresa’s sister-in-law, Patricia Confroy, died on July 14 of this year.
Sister Teresa is survived by the Sisters of Charity, numerous loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Sister Mary Kuiken
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at St. Michael Villa in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., for Sister Mary Kuiken of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace.
Sister Kuiken, 92, of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., died peacefully at St. Michael Villa on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. She was born on May 22, 1932, in Midland Park, N.J., one of five children of the late John Kuiken and Mary Soares.
Sister Kuiken became a Postulant on July 31, 1951, at St. Michael Novitiate, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., then a Novice on Feb. 2, 1952. She pronounced Final Vows there on Aug. 22, 1957.
Sister Kuiken graduated from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., in 1962 with a B.A. in Secondary Education and Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y., with an M.A. in Liberal Studies and Theology in 1968.
Sister Kuiken taught at St. James E.S. and St. James High School, Penns Grove, N.J., and Kenmare High School, Jersey City, N.J. She was Secretary to the Mother General at Mt. St. Joseph, Spring Lake, N.J. Sister served as Vocation Directress at St. Joseph Juniorate, Saddle River, N.J., and Novice Directress at St. Michael Novitiate. She was Assistant Administrator at St. Joseph Village in Rockleigh, N.J., and Coordinator of Child Care Services and Administrator at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind in Jersey City, N.J. She served as Director of Religious Development and Director of Ministry and Formation at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
In 1998, she became Editor of the St. Joseph Magazine Office in Jersey City, N.J., until 2009, when it closed. From 2003 to 2009, she served on the St. Joseph Province Council. She then volunteered for the CSJP Community until joining the St. Michael Villa Community in 2019.
Sister Kuiken is predeceased by her sisters Rose Conklin, Jesse Smith, and Ethel Camlet, brother John Kuiken, and nephew Mark Conklin. She is survived by her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
