Obituaries for February 2025
Let us pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in February.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Sister Ethel Beneville, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, February 19 at Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, New Jersey, for Sister Ethel Beneville, SC.
A Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth, and formerly Sister Ann Pauline, she died on January 30 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. Sister Ethel was 87.
The daughter of Paul and Ethel (Bowers) Beneville, Sister Ethel was born in Dumont, New Jersey. She entered the Sisters of Charity in 1956 and was a member of the congregation for 68 years.
After graduating from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station with a B.S. in Business Administration, she went on to receive an MRE degree in Religious Education from Seattle University. Sister Ethel worked as an educator in New Jersey and Montana. She served as teacher at Corpus Christi School, Hasbrouck Heights; Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Tenafly; Saint Michael School, Newark; Saint Matthew School, Ridgefield; Saint Aloysius School, Jersey City; Bayley Ellard High School, Madison; Saint Joseph High School, Paterson; Loyola/Sacred Heart High School, Missoula, Montana; Saint Vincent Academy, Newark; and the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station.
Sister Ethel was a Computer System Manager at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station. Later, she was a teacher assistant at the Children’s Center at Morristown Memorial Hospital and also served in the Financial Office at the Sisters of Charity.
Sister Ethel was a creative artist and writer. She loved beautiful things and had an artistic eye, using her gifts to visually enhance the congregation’s Motherhouse. She also shared her gift of creative writing, preparing special liturgies and annual retreat materials for the Motherhouse Community.
Sister Ethel was predeceased by her parents, brothers Raymond, Vernon, and Paul, sisters Florence Cudworth and Carol Hansen, and nephews Charles and Lance Cudworth. She is survived by many family members throughout the US and Canada.
Sister Elizabeth Francis Brisson, OP
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 25 at St. Aloysius Church in Caldwell, New Jersey, for Sister Elizabeth Francis Brisson, OP.
A dedicated member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 80 years, she died on February 14 at Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell. Sister Elizabeth Francis was 97.
She was born in Elizabeth, NJ, the daughter of Francis R. and Elizabeth M. (Labby) Brisson. Sister Elizabeth Francis entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic in 1944, making her final profession in 1952. A woman of deep faith and compassion, she lived a life of service, education, and leadership.
Sister Elizabeth Francis earned her AB degree in English with a minor in Education from Caldwell College in Caldwell, NJ. After that, she set off on a long career as an educator, teaching elementary students at Saint Venantius School in Orange for nine years. For the following 25 years, she taught English and mathematics in various junior high school classrooms, including at Saint Paul School in Irvington; Holy Spirit School in Asbury Park; Saint Elizabeth School in Linden; and Saint John School in Jersey City.
She also served as an administrator for 13 years, including as principal at Our Lady of Peace School in New Providence and Saint Mary Grade School in Rutherford, and as an assistant principal at Saint John School in Jersey City.
In her later ministry, Sister Mary Elizabeth served as social service director at Siena Village in Wayne, where her care and compassion touched the lives of countless residents.
With a steadfast commitment to faith and community, Sister Elizabeth Francis shaped generations through her dedication to teaching and leadership. Her legacy is a testament to the power of service rooted in faith.
Sister Elizabeth Francis was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Elizabeth; her brothers Robert, John, James, Francis, Richard, and Charles; and her sister, Catherine Thompson. She is survived by her sister, Monica Ruff, and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.
Sister Mary Christine Ford, OP
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 14 at Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell, New Jersey, for Sister Mary Christine Ford, OP.
A member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 21 years, she died on February 8 at Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, NJ. She was 80.
The daughter of George and Essie Mae (Morrison) Ford, Sister Mary Christine was born in Newark, NJ. A woman of deep faith, gentle spirit, determination, and compassion, she entered the Dominican Nuns of the Monastery of Saint Dominic in Newark in 1964, making her solemn vows in 1970.
While at the monastery, Sister Mary Christine served the congregation as its infirmarian and later as sub-prioress and prioress. In 2004, she shouldered the monumental task of closing the monastery after 121 years due to declining numbers.
After the monastery’s closure, Sister Mary Christine left the contemplative life and embraced the active lifestyle of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell. She brought her healthcare experience to Saint Catherine Healthcare Center, where she assisted religious sisters who were infirm. She made her final profession in 2007.
In 2007, Sister Mary Christine began working as a patient representative at Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson.
She later worked as a chaplain in the pastoral care department at Saint Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center until her retirement in 2020, receiving high praise from other personnel and patients. Sister Mary Christian’s capacity for listening to others made her an exceptional healthcare minister. She shared that same gift for listening with her sisters at Saint Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell
Sister Mary Christine was predeceased by her parents, George and Essie Mae Ford. She is survived by her sister, Christine Ford, her brother, Jerry Steele, sister-in-law Yvonne Steele, and niece Michele Steele.
Sister Mary Lou Hayden, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 26 at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, New Jersey, for Sister Mary Lou Hayden, SC.
A Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, she died on February 14. Sister Mary Lou was 94.
Born in Rutherford, New Jersey, she was the daughter of George and Mary (Dunn) Hayden. Sister Mary Lou entered the Sisters of Charity in 1949. She was a member of the congregation for 75 years.
After graduating from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she served in the ministry of education for over 65 years. Her teaching ministry began at Sacred Heart School in Jersey City, followed by Saint Paul of the Cross School in Jersey City, Saint Catherine School in Darlington, and Saint Joseph School in Newark.
In 1957, Sister Mary Lou began an extensive period of ministry at All Saints Parish and School in Jersey City. She served as teacher, counselor, and principal at All Saints. As structures in parishes and schools began changing, Sister Mary Lou adapted to each new situation. In 2003, she began serving as Co-Principal of Assumption/All Saints and Saint Patrick’s Schools along with her close friend, Sister Maeve McDermott.
After retirement, Sister Mary Lou continued her ministry as a volunteer at Saint Patrick and Assumption/All Saints School. When the school closed, Sister Mary Lou continued to volunteer at Saint Patrick Parish until her final illness.
Sister Mary Lou loved the people of Jersey City, and that love was returned. She frequently walked through her neighborhood, befriending the people she met. Sister Mary Lou formed deep personal relationships throughout her life. She was a living example of the maxim of Saint Vincent de Paul: “If God is the center of your life, no words will be needed. Your mere presence will touch their hearts.”
Sister Mary Lou was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Sister Jude Miriam, SC; her brother, Father Joseph Hayden; her sisters Margaret Schroll and Mary who died at birth; and her brothers George and Edward. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.
Father William J. Melillo
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 28 at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church in Verona, New Jersey, for Father William J. Melillo.
He died peacefully on February 25. Father Melillo was 89 years old.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in 1962 and attending Immaculate Conception Seminary, Father Melillo was ordained a priest in 1966 by Archbishop Thomas Boland at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. His priestly assignments included St. Vincent de Paul Church in Bayonne, St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, and St. Philomena Church in Livingston. Fr. Bill was also a weekend assistant at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in West Orange and Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona.
Father Melillo’s most notable and devoted pastoral assignment was at Seton Hall Preparatory School, where he worked for 47 years. At Seton Hall Prep, Fr. Bill was a beloved theology teacher, Chair of the Theology Department, and a guidance counselor. He also served as a chaplain to Seton Hall’s athletic teams.
Father Melillo was instrumental in founding the school’s Walton Family Learning Center. He received numerous school awards, including the Thomas A. Reynold’s Award from the Fathers’ Club, and the Salvatore N. Caprio Award for “his generosity in time, patience, and concern for students.” Seton Hall’s yearbook was twice dedicated to him.
Even with his heavy workload, Father Melillo made time for his family.
He was predeceased by his parents, William and Jean, and his brother, Nicolas. Father Melillo is survived by his brother, Anthony and wife, Judy; his sister-in-law, JoAnn Melillo; and by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Sister Ann Stango, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on February 13 at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, New Jersey, for Sister Ann Stango, SC.
A Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, she died on February 5 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. Sister Ann was 86.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, she was the daughter of Armand and Helen (O’Connor) Stango. Sister Ann entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1955, and was a member of the congregation for 69 years.
After graduating from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ, with a B.A. in Mathematics, she earned a master’s degree in the same subject from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. She later received an M.A. degree in Theology from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and a D.Min. degree in Theology-Church and Society.
Sister Ann taught at Saint Margaret of Scotland School in Morristown and Saint John Cathedral High School in Paterson. She began her outreach ministry at Operation Extension in the Diocese of Paterson, and then as a member of the Parish Apostolic Team at Saint Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison. In Washington, DC, she was a teacher and advisor at Catholic University of America, and a faculty advisor and spiritual director at Theological College.
Among her many other roles: Director of Ministry Programs, College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station; Assistant to the President at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Connecticut; Vice President-Mission at Saint Joseph University Medical Center in Paterson; Director of Ministry Programs at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida; and Education Specialist for Ministry, Spirituality and Ethics at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
During the late 1960s, Sister Ann lived and worked in a low-income housing development in New Jersey. She was the first woman to serve on the formation staff for the seminary at Theological College of Catholic University, Washington, DC.
Sister Ann was predeceased by her parents, Armand and Helen. She is survived by her cousin Connie and husband, Bernie Nolan, along with their children, and by her cousin Dolores Carolan.
Sister Renee Zinciuk, CFFS
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 19 at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Lodi, New Jersey, for Sister Renee Zinciuk, CFFS.
She died on February 16. Sister Renee was 72 years old.
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on January 30th, 1953, she was the daughter of George Zinciuk and Apolonia Wardenka.
Sister Renee received her B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences at Felician University in Lodi. She earned her M.S.W. at Fordham University in New York City. In 1981, Sister Renee received a Certification in the Academy of Certified Social Workers from the National Association of Social Workers and was also certified as a School Social Worker in the State of New Jersey.
She entered the Felician Order in September 1970. One year later, she was invested in the Franciscan habit and received the name Sister Luke Marie. She later requested to return to her baptismal name. She made her final profession in 1979.
Sister Renee’s Assignments within the Archdiocese of Newark include: Saint Anthony High School in Jersey City, educator of High School Social Studies; AIDS Resource Foundation, Newark, as the Director of Social Services; Faith Services, Hoboken, as a Statistician; Most Sacred Heart Convent, Wallington as an aide to the Provincial Secretary.
Sister Renee also did extensive volunteer work at Most Sacred Heart Convent in Wallington, the American Red Cross, and the Felician Care Center in Lodi.
Her assignments outside of the Newark Archdiocese include teaching junior high at Holy Spirit School in New Castle, Delaware, Passaic Catholic Regional School in Passaic, NJ, and Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood, NJ.
She also worked as the Activity Director and later as a Team Leader for Covenant House Under 21 in New York City; as the Director of Social Services at the AIDS Resource Foundation in Newark; and as a Statistician at Faith Services in Hoboken.
While she stayed in all her ministries, Sister Renee lovingly cared for her mother until 2011, when she passed away peacefully.
