Archdiocese of Newark death notices: January 2022
We remember and pray for our dearly departed clergy and men and women religious whose Masses of Christian Burial were held in December:
Sister Charlotte Koch, F.S.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 17, 2021, at Marian Woods, Hartsdale, N.Y. for Sister Charlotte Koch, F.S.P., who died on Dec. 6, 2021.
Sister Charlotte died peacefully on Dec. 6, 2021, at Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Sister Charlotte was born in Hoboken, N.J., on March 14, 1943, to Kathryn Ruff and Henry Koch. She had one brother, Robert. As a child, Sister Charlotte attended Charles DeWolf Elementary School in Old Tappan, N.J. and graduated from Ladycliff Academy, Highland Falls, N.Y. in June 1960. After graduating from high school, Sister Charlotte entered the Franciscan Sisters Novitiate in Peekskill, N.Y. in September 1960.
After her religious profession, Sister Charlotte was assigned to the field of elementary education and remained in that ministry for more than 50 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at Ladycliff College, Highland Falls, N.Y. and later studied at City College in New York, where she achieved a Master’s degree in social studies in 1975.
During her early years, she taught at St. James School, in Totowa, N.J., Holy Family School, in Union City, N.J., the Assumption School, Peekskill, N.Y., Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, in New York City, and St. Joseph’s School, in New York City. In 1973 Sister Charlotte taught at St. John’s School in Fairview, N.J., then at St. Philip’s School, in Clifton, N.J., where she spent the next 21 years. In 2000 Sister Charlotte taught at Visitation Academy in Paramus, N.J. until 2004 when she taught at Hilliside Catholic Academy in Hillside, N.J. In 2008 she taught at Holy Trinity School in Hackensack, N.J., and finished her teaching career at St. John’s School in Leonia, N.J. in 2015.
In 1986, Sister Charlotte became one of 112 founding members of the newly founded Congregation, the Franciscan Sisters of Peace.
She retired from active ministry in 2015 and moved to a collaborative retirement facility, Marian Woods, located in Hartsdale, N.Y., and remained in residence there since 2016.
Sister Charlotte is survived by her brother, Robert Koch, her aunt, Sister Barbara Anne Ruff, F.M.S.C., her niece, Allison Koch Ubriaco, and her nephew, David Koch.
Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Granato
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 15, 2021, at St. Lucy Church in Newark, N.J. for Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Granato, who died on Dec. 9, 2021.
Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Granato was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Reverend Eugene Diurczak
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 22, 2021, at Holy Family Church in Linden, N.J. for Reverend Eugene Diurczak, who died on Dec. 14, 2021.
Father Eugene Diurczak was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Sister Ellen McMahon, O.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 20, 2021, at St. Aloysius Church in Caldwell, N.J. for Sister Ellen McMahon, O.P., who died on Dec. 15, 2021.
Sister Ellen ministered at Notre Dame Interparochial School in Ridgefield/Palisades Park; Saint Matthew School in Ridgefield; Saint Aedan School in Jersey City; Saint Catherine School in Elizabeth; and Our Lady of the Lake, in Verona. Sister Ellen served as assistant resident manager at Marian Manor in Caldwell and as a receptionist at Saint Catherine of Siena Convent and Healthcare Center.
Sister Agnes Gregory Craig, S.C.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 22, 2021, at Holy Family Chapel, in Convent Station, N.J. for Sister Agnes Gregory Craig, 95, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, who died on Dec. 18, 2021, at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, N.J.
Sister Agnes Gregory was born in Irvington, N.J., the daughter of James Francis and Ann Elizabeth (Reitsperger) Craig. She entered the Sisters of Charity on March 6, 1953, and was a member for 68 years.
Sister Agnes Gregory graduated from Caldwell College, Caldwell, N.J. with a B.A. degree in English and from Saint John’s University, in New York City, with an MLS degree in Library Science. Sister Agnes Gregory served in the education ministry as a teacher and librarian in New Jersey. She served as a teacher at Saint John High School, Paterson; St. Mary High School, Jersey City; and Marylawn of the Oranges, South Orange. She then served as librarian and director of Media Services at the College of Saint Elizabeth (now Saint Elizabeth University), Convent Station. She retired in 2009 and became a library volunteer at the Academy of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station. She moved to Saint Anne Villa, Convent Station, and recently transferred to Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell.
In the words of her many students, Sister Agnes Gregory was a gifted teacher. Her positive manner inspired confidence along with subject matter. Her years at the now University of Saint Elizabeth were rewarded with many faithful friends.
She is survived by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and many friends.
Reverend Jose C. Saltarin
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 29, 2021, at Saint Anne Church in Jersey City, N.J. for Reverend Jose C. Saltarin, who died on Dec. 22, 2021.
Father Jose C. Saltarin was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Newark.
Sister Ruth McDonnell, F.S.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 30, 2021, at Marian Woods Chapel, in Hartsdale, N.Y. for Sister Ruth McDonnell, F.S.P., who died on Dec. 20, 2021, at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Sister Ruth (aka Sister Katherine Marie) was born in New York City on Nov. 2, 1929, to Katherine and Harry McDonnell. She attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School in the Bronx and an annex to Cathedral High School in Manhattan, graduating in 1947. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree at Hunter College, graduating in 1951.
After working for two years on Wall Street, in New York City, Ruth felt a strong call to religious life and the teaching profession. She learned about the Franciscan Sisters of Peekskill while on a discernment retreat and entered the novitiate in September of 1953.
Sister Katherine Marie, as she was first named, was assigned in 1960 to the education ministry at the high school level. Her first assignment was teaching Latin and Spanish at Ladycliff Academy in Mohegan Lake, N.Y.
During summer vacations, Sister studied at Catholic University in Washington D.C., where she earned her Master’s Degree in Spanish in 1963. She also earned a certificate in administration from SUNY, Plattsburgh.
In 1965 Sister Ruth went to St. Joseph’s High School, a large co-educational school in West New York, N.J., where she taught Spanish and became an assistant principal. In 1974, Ladycliff Academy in Mohegan Lake became co-educational and was renamed Franciscan High School. She returned to the school where she taught Spanish.
In 1986 Sister Ruth became a founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of Peace. Sister Ruth then joined the faculty of Maria Regina High School, a girls’ High School in Hartsdale, N.Y., where she taught for many years.
In her earlier years, Sister Ruth also did volunteer work at Birthright taught ESL classes to adults and Religious Education classes to children.
Her 28 years at Maria Regina High School were wonderful, busy, and happy ones, teaching Spanish with dedicated co-workers, serving as department chairperson of Languages and working with various clubs and societies as well as traveling to Spain with students and adults. She always enjoyed helping students to mature, not only academically but spiritually and socially.
In June 2014, Sister Ruth retired from teaching and moved to Marian Woods, a collaborative retirement facility in Hartsdale, N.Y. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered to tutor others in Spanish. Due to ill health, Sister Ruth transitioned to St. Cabrini Nursing Home in 2017, where she continued to share her Franciscan spirit with the staff and other residents.
Sister Ruth is survived by Laurie Fournier, a first cousin, Laurie’s sons John, Paul, and Mark, and first cousins, Florence Brady, Carol, and Peter Ingrassi.
Sister Elizabeth Michael Boyle, O.P.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 31, 2021, at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Sisters of St. Dominic Motherhouse grounds in Caldwell, N.J. for Sister Elizabeth Michael Boyle, O.P., who died on Dec. 30, 2021.
Sister Elizabeth Michael entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on August 30, 1945, received the Dominican habit on April 30, 1946, made first profession on May 1, 1947, and final profession on May 1, 1953.
After graduating from Caldwell College, Sister Elizabeth Michael received a master’s degree in English from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and a doctoral degree in literature from Drew University in Madison, N.J.
She was professor emerita of English at Caldwell University, where she taught for many years and inspired generations of students. Sister Elizabeth Michael often hosted a poetry writers group called the Tower Poets who met monthly to share and critique each other’s work. A published author and poet herself, Sister was a member of the Academy of American Poets and the 2010 recipient of the Fra Angelico Award from the Dominican Institute for the Arts. She also served on the leadership team for the Caldwell Dominican community and acted as communications director. Her other teaching assignments brought her to Union Catholic High School, Scotch Plains; St. John, Jersey City; St. Mary High School, Rutherford; and Saint Michael, Union.
Sister Elizabeth Michael was predeceased by her parents, George and Elizabeth, and her brothers, Joseph, George, Walter, and Michael. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Roberta and Lee; her beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and her loving Sisters of St. Dominic.
Featured image: Gate Of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, N.J. (Courtesy of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark)
