Archdiocese of Newark obituaries: March 2023
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in March.
Sister Lois Curry, O.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Lois Curry, O.P., at Saint Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, N.J.on Monday, March 6, 2023.
Sister Lois Curry, OP (formerly Sister John Margaret), a Sister of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 65 years, entered into eternal life on Feb. 26, 2023 at the age of 82 at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center, Caldwell, N.J.
A prayerful and compassionate woman, Sister Curry credited her mother and grandparents for fostering her deep faith. Sister Curry entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on Sept. 8, 1958, received the habit on June 13, 1959, made first profession on June 15, 1960 and final profession on June 15, 1966.
Sister Curry earned a bachelor’s degree in history and elementary education from Caldwell University (formerly Caldwell College), N.J., a master’s degree in History/Russian History from the University of Dayton, Ohio, and a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry and Spirituality/ Spiritual Direction from Immaculate Conception Seminary, N,J. Sister studied Islamic History/Culture at Boston University, MA. Sister Lois touched the lives of countless children and adults in her ministries as teacher, Director of Religious Education, and pastoral minister. In New Jersey, Sister taught at St. Brigid, North Bergen; St. Boniface, Jersey City; Mt. St. Dominic Grade School and Academy, Caldwell; St. Venantius, Orange; Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament, Roseland; and Sacred Heart, Lyndhurst. She was an instructor/campus minister at Caldwell University. Sister served on Religious Education Teams at St. Philomena, Livingston, St. Theresa, Kenilworth and St. Rose of Lima, Short Hills; and as a staff member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Healing Institute, Caldwell. Sister’s final ministry of 20 years was as pastoral minister/DRE at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Boonton. A gifted historian, Sister Curry authored a book,”Women after His own Heart,” a history of the Caldwell Dominican Sisters from 1881-1981.
Sister Curry was predeceased by her mother, Anna Curry; her loving grandparents, John and Margaret Connolly Curry; her sister, Maureen Fantasia; her brother-in-law, Ezio DeVito; and her dear friend, Patricia Pici.
She is survived by her sister, Patricia Dugan DeVito; her brother-in-law, Lenard Fantasia; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, beloved cousins; and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic.
Deacon Miguel A. Loperena
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Deacon Miguel A. Loperena at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Newark on March 13, 2023.
Deacon Loperena died at the age of 78 on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
Father Paul R. Manning
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Father Paul R. Manning on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Lourdes Noreen McKeen West Palm Beach, Fla.
Father Manning, 89, passed away after a lengthy illness in Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence in Florida. Born and raised in Newark (Vailsburg), N.J, Father Manning studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, N.J. and was ordained into priesthood on May 25, 1959.
He spent many years as a teacher of Mathematics in New Jersey at Seton Hall Prep, South Orange; Union Catholic High School, Scotch Plains; and Oratory Preparatory School, Summit. Father Manning went on to become Headmaster at Oratory Prep from 1992- 1994. He was also the weekend assistant at St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church, Summit, for many years.
Father Manning held BA and MA degrees from Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.; a STB degree from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.; and MA and Ph.D. degrees from New York University, where he studied at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Science.
As a member of Oratory Prep staff beginning in 1976, Father Manning taught French, Latin, Spanish, Greek, Religion, and Mathematics, his true love. During his tenure at Oratory Prep, he was moderator of the school yearbook, “The Aries,” the Math Club, the Chess Team, and the French Club. As coach of the tennis team, he led the varsity team to first place in the Mountain Valley Conference Championship. After 19 years as tennis coach, he retired with 214 wins. As moderator of the Math Club, he guided his team to 1st place in the Tri-State Math League 1997-98.
Father Manning was the recipient of various educational awards. In 1986 he was named the finalist for the Presidential Award in Mathematics in New Jersey. In 1991 he was awarded the Princeton Prize for secondary school teaching, presented to him at Princeton University. The Engineering School of Manhattan College honored him as Outstanding Mathematics Educator in 1992. He was named the Tandy Scholar in 1993. The Archdiocese of Newark named Father Manning, Math Department Chairman at Oratory Prep, as the outstanding Catholic School Educator in 1998.
In addition to his dedication and love of teaching others, Father Manning continued to further his own education. He was awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for Humanities to study Latin and Greek at Harvard University in 1992. In 1997 he was named Fulbright Scholar and studied in the Fulbright Classics Seminars in Rome and Naples.
He retired to sunny West Palm Beach in 2004, where he enjoyed dining out with family and friends, walking on the beach, lounging and reading poolside, and attending operas, especially those by his favorite composer, Giuseppe Verdi. Along with his brother Robert, he was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He also enjoyed many fun trips taking his niece and nephew on great getaways.
Father Manning was predeceased by his parents Gerald Manning and Lillian (Morrison) Manning. Surviving are his brother, Robert and wife Tina of York, ME, niece Francine Pidgeon and husband Bill of Davie, FL, nephew Duane and significant other, Thayer Kelley of South Hero, VT. Also, godson Mark Sanchez and dear friends Eileen Butka, Luis Sanchez and family, Fr. Jack Holian, Fred Roden, Mario Mangila, and many other friends, former students, and fellow priests.
For all the lives that were touched in some way over the years by Fr. Paul, he will be missed.
Sister Maria Agnes O.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Maria Agnes O.P. at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, N.J. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Sister Maria Agnes of the Good Shepherd (born Nelya S. Karasig), 92, passed away at Spring Grove Rehab and Healthcare Center in New Providence, N.J. on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
Sister Agnes was born on Jan. 2, 1931 in Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines of Jose Domingo Karasig and Cornelia Santiago Karasig. She graduated from the University of the Philippines, Quezon City, with a degree in liberal arts before entering the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena in 1954. She made first profession of vows on July 15, 1956 and final profession on May 31, 1961.
During her time in the congregation, Sister Agnes taught high school English, Spanish, and religion and was a college instructor in theology, Spanish, and music. As a child and adolescent, she had trained as a concert pianist, and not only taught piano but, until the end of her life, delighted generations of her sisters in religion with her impromptu concerts.
In August 1973, Sister Agnes transferred to the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, N.J. in order to fulfill her long-held desire for cloister and contemplation. She made solemn vows in the monastery on March 19, 1977. In August 1977, along with four other members of the Summit community, she returned to the Philippines to bring Dominican contemplative life to her beautiful native land. The monastery that she helped found in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines flourishes to this day. Although after a few years, she decided to return to Summit and live out her days here, the Cainta monastery was always in her heart.
On Nov. 3, 1994, Sister Agnes became an American citizen.
In 2003, the Cainta community elected Sister Agnes their prioress, and she returned to the Philippines for three years to lead the sisters in living out their vocation.
In the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, Sister Agnes served as librarian, archivist, chantress, and organist, as well as doing a myriad of odd jobs with great generosity.
Sister Agnes is pre-deceased by her parents and her siblings, Dalisay Karasig Marbella and Jose Maria Santiago Karasig. She is survived by her sister, Ma. Yumi Santiago Karasig and many nieces and nephews and their offspring.
Sister Felice Donelin, SCC
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Sister Felice Donelin at the Sisters of Christian Charity Motherhouse in Mendham, N.J. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Sister Donelin, nee Geraldine Joan Doneli, of the Sister of Christian Charity, entered into Eternal Life the morning of March 24, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, N.J. Sister was 92 years old.
She was born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Dec. 16, 1930, to John and Geraldine (Boundy) Donelin and baptized at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. At seven years of age, she began Sunday School with the Dominican Sisters, while attending public schools in New York. She received her First Holy Communion and was confirmed by the time she completed grade school. She then had the privilege of attending Cathedral Annex located at Immaculate Conception School in the Bronx where she was taught by the Sisters of Christian Charity. Attracted by their way of life she came to the Motherhouse in Mendham on Sept. 1, 1946, and continued her high school education at Immaculata High School.
She received the Holy Habit of a Sister of Christian Charity on Aug. 21, 1947. Sister Donelin professed her First Vows on Aug. 21, 1949, and her Final Vows on Aug. 20, 1955.
Sister had a long and dedicated life in education as a teacher, principal, special education teacher, and guidance counselor. In many of her assignments, she also served as superior. Sister Donelin served in St. Boniface School, Williamsport, Penna.; St. Nicholas, Jersey City, N.J.; Immaculate Conception School, Bronx, N.Y.; St. Margaret Mary School, Winter Park, Fla.; St. Michael School, Elizabeth, N.J.; St. Mary School, Hackettstown, N.J.; St. Joseph School, Jim Thorpe, Penna.; St. Ann School, Williamsport, Penna.; St. Peter School, Kingston, N.Y.; St. Boniface School in Wilkes-Barre, Penna.; St. Mary School, Scranton, Penna.; Bishop Hafey School in Hazleton, Penna.; and St. Francis School in Metuchen, N.J. Her dedication to the children was outstanding.
Sister Donelin earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisc. Sister took additional courses at St. John’s University, Columbia University, Bucknell University, Marywood College, Penn State University, and Fordham University.
In 2006, Sr. Felice served as Pastoral Associate at Sacred Heart Church in Lewistown, Penna., and in 2009 was a part-time Pastoral Minister in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Hoboken, N.J. In addition, Sister helped in Divine Providence Hospital in Williamsport, and in Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, Penna. Sister Felice retired in May 2018, moving to the Motherhouse in Mendham.
