Obituaries for May 2024
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in May.
Father Maynard George Nagengast, O.S.B.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 for Father Maynard George Nagengast, O.S.B.
Father Nagengast passed away peacefully in the monastery on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the age of 89. He was the oldest member of the monastic community and had been living in the infirmary for the past three years. During that time he was an example to the monastic community of patience and good humor in the midst of his sufferings.
Father Nagengast was the long-time head of the St. Benedict’s Prep Art Department. He was a gifted artist in painting, drawing, and sculpture, and his works of liturgical art can be found in various churches across Northern New Jersey, including the chapel of the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Walburga Priory in Elizabeth, N. J. His passion for teaching inspired several of his students to pursue careers in art and architecture.
Born on Aug. 27, 1934 in Bayonne, N.J. to George and Cecelia Honegger Nagengast, he graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. He professed his first vows as a Benedictine monk in July 1956.
He graduated from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn., and later did graduate work in art education at New York University. After his theological studies at St. Mary’s Abbey in Morristown, he was ordained a priest in 1962 and moved to the monastery in Newark in 1962 where he would teach art at Saint Benedict’s Prep for the next 50 years. He was beloved by his students and inspired several of them over the years to become architects. He also served on weekends at St. Mark’s parish in Sea Girt, N.J.
Sister Anne Marie Moroney, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, May 31, 2024, for Sister Anne Marie Moroney, S.C., formerly Sister Maura Joseph, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J.
Sister Moroney, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died May 23, 2024, at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, N.J. at the age of 81.
Sister Moroney was born in Salem, Mass., the daughter of Maurice and Katherine (Wodarski) Moroney. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 6, 1960, and was a member for 64 years.
Sister Moroney graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, N.J. with a B.S. in Elementary Education, and from Immaculate Conception Seminary and School of Theology at Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. with a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry. Sister Moroney was an educator in New Jersey and Connecticut. She served as a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Waterbury, CT; Holy Trinity School, Hackensack, and was principal at St. Peter School, Jersey City; Co-Principal at Resurrection School, Jersey City; and was a guidance counselor and served in the Development Office at St. Mary High School, Jersey City. She was Director of Community Health Education at St. Mary’s Hospital, Passaic. She moved to Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, Caldwell in 2022 where she resided until her death.
Sister Moroney’s warmth, wisdom, wonderful sense of humor, and gentle spirit touched the hearts of all who crossed her path, leaving an indelible mark on their lives. Her legacy of love and service will continue to inspire generations to come.
Sister Moroney is predeceased by her parents Maurice and Katherine Moroney and her brother James. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity Community; her brother Thomas and wife Janet of Stow, MA; her niece Christine Monahan and her husband Joseph of North Andover, MA; her nephew Mark and his wife Deborah of Oak Park, IL; and grandniece Sarah Monahan, and grandnephews Derek Monahan, Liam Moroney, and Adam Moroney.
Sister Barbara Conroy, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, for Sister Barbara Conroy, S.C., formerly Sister Agnes Marion, at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, N.J.
Sister Barbara Conroy, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died May 9, 2024, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, N.J. at the age of 91.
Sister Conroy was born in Irvington, N.J., the daughter of Bartley and Mary (Feyock) Conroy. She entered the Sisters of Charity on Oct. 1, 1950, and was a member for 73 years.
Sister Conroy graduated from the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, NN.J. with a B.A. degree in Spanish and from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. with an M.A. degree in Spanish. She received a Fulbright scholarship to study Spanish in Spain and earned a Certificate in Management from Columbia University’s Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.
Sister Conroy’s many years of service encompassed a variety of ministries. Initially, she served in the ministry of education as a teacher and a principal. She was a teacher at Our Lady Help of Christians School, East Orange, N.J. and Saint Joseph’s High School, Paterson, N.J. Sister Conroy also served as principal at Saint Joseph’s High School, Paterson, N.J. and Saint Vincent’s Academy, Newark, N.J.
Sister Conroy’s leadership skills were also utilized in the ministry of health care. In addition to serving as Coordinator of Family Health Center at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Paterson, N.J., she served as Vice President for Mission Services there. Sister Conroy served as Director of Community Initiatives at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, N.J.
During Sister Conroy’s many years of ministry, she served on a number of boards of trustees, including Trinitas Health and Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, N.J., (Chair) the College (University) of Saint Elizabeth (Chair). She also served on the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s Hospital, Passaic, N.J. and the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Morris Township, N.J. Sister Conroy was involved in the formation of the Bon Secours Charity Health System in New York State.
Sister Conroy served in Leadership in the Sisters of Charity as General Councilor, Provincial of the Western Province, and General Superior. She also served the Congregation as Director of Sponsorship and Mission Services. Sister Barbara was serving as Assistant to the Director of Property and Building Projects at the time of her death.
Sister Conroya was known as a wise, caring servant leader, committed to the mission of the Sisters of Charity to make God’s love known in the world.
Sister Conroy was predeceased by her parents, her sister Maryrose Grimm, and her brothers Joseph (Joe) and James Richard (Dick) and her nephew, Thomas (Tommy). She is survived by her Sisters of Charity community, many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.
