Obituaries for September 2025
Let us pray for our dearly departed religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in September.
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 Mary Canavan, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on September 9 at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, NJ, for Sister Mary Canavan, SC. She died peacefully on September 1 at Saint Catherine of Siena Health Center in Caldwell. Sister Mary was 96.
Born in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, to Frederick and Esther (Buckley) Canavan, she was the youngest of seven children. Sister Mary received her B.A. in French from the College of Saint Elizabeth and her M.A. in Education from Villanova University.
She began her ministry as an elementary school teacher, serving at Our Lady Help of Christians, East Orange; Sacred Heart, Vailsburg; and Our Lady of All Souls, East Orange. She then taught high school French and later served as a guidance counselor at Bayley-Ellard High School in Madison and Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair.
Sister Mary was appointed Dean of Students at the College of Saint Elizabeth. She also served as a leader of the Northern Province of the Sisters of Charity for six years, Assistant General Superior for eight years, and as General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth for eight years.
She served as Vice President for Mission Services at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven, Connecticut. Sister Mary also held numerous trustee positions at Institutions sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
In retirement, she volunteered at a residential school for adults with developmental disabilities, a local nursing home, and a New York State correctional facility.
Sister Mary also embraced the role of Vice-Postulator of the Cause of Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a ministry that culminated in the Beatification of Blessed Miriam Teresa in October 2014.
She was predeceased by her parents Frederick and Esther Canavan, her brothers Frederick, John, Peter, David, and Robert Canavan, and her sister Esther Canavan Shields. Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, cousins, and cherished friends survive Sister Mary.
Sister June Favata, SC
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 17 at Holy Family Chapel in Convent Station, NJ, for Sister June Favata, SC. She died peacefully on September 8 at Saint Catherine of Siena Health Care Facility in Caldwell. Sister June was 85.
Born in Teaneck, she was the daughter of Ciro and Elizabeth (Miraglia) Favata. After earning a B.A. in English from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, she was awarded an M.A. in English and Communication Arts from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
Sister June taught throughout New Jersey, including at Saint Teresa School, Summit; Saint Mary High School, Jersey City; and Saint Patrick High School, Elizabeth. For over five decades, she served at Saint Vincent Academy in Newark, where she held various roles, including English teacher, program director, vice principal, and administrative director. She ultimately was made President of Saint Vincent Academy, Inc. Sister June also served as Director of Central Communication at the Convent of Saint Elizabeth.
Known as the heart and soul of Saint Vincent Academy, Sister June was widely recognized for her commitment to excellence in teaching. She received numerous honors, including Princeton University’s Prize for Distinguished Secondary School Teaching.
Sister June was predeceased by her parents, Ciro and Elizabeth Favata, as well as her sisters, Dolores Butler and Sally Stewart Colosanti. Many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews survive her.
Sister Ann Jerome Kociolek, OP
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 18 in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary at the Dominican Center, Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY, for Sister Ann Jerome Kociolek, OP. She died on September 13 in New Rochelle, NY. Sister Ann Jerome was 87.
The daughter of the late Charles and Alma (Albern) Kociolek, she was born March 13, 1938, in Jersey City. Sister Ann Jerome entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh in 1959, making her final profession in 1966.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Sister Ann Jerome taught at Saint Mary School in Gloucester, Saint Rose School in Haddon Heights, and Saint Joseph School in Bayonne. She next taught at Saint Paul School in Jersey City and then served as assistant principal there for ten years.
She was also an assistant associate of business affairs at Saint Benedict Parish in Newark, New Jersey. After 48 years of teaching, she moved to Rochelle Park, where she anticipated retirement, but instead became a permanent substitute teacher and volunteered with parish organizations.
Sister Ann Jerome was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Dorothy Peterson, and her brother Robert Kociolek. She is survived by her brother Father Charles Kociolek, CSC, her sister Sister Margaret Charles Kociolek, OP, and her nephews and nieces.
