February 7, 2017

UPDATED OBITUARY: Sister Maria Bernadette Lunney, SSJ

TwitterFacebook FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Sister of St. Joseph Maria Bernadette Lunney (Mary T.), 94, a member of the Sisters of […]

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Sister of St. Joseph Maria Bernadette Lunney (Mary T.), 94, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, Mass. on Feb. 2.

A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Anna (Fay) Lunney. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Bernard Parish, Worcester, in 1941. She graduated from Commerce High School, Worcester. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and did graduate study in mathematics at the University of Maryland, Western Illinois University, and the State University of New York at Oneonta. She also earned certification in clinical pastoral education and as a licensed practical nurse.

She ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher in Springfield at the former Cathedral Grammar School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Our Lady of Hope School and Cathedral High School; in Holyoke at Blessed Sacrament School and the former Sacred Heart Elementary School; and in Pittsfield at the former St. Mary of the Morning Star School. From 1971 to 1981 she served in missions in Kenya, East Africa. She also served as pastoral minister in St. Teresa and in St. Thomas parishes in Providence, R.I., and St. Mary Parish, Cashton, Wis. From 1989 to 2000, she ministered to the sisters at St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie. She retired in 2000.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by several cousins and their families.

All services for Sister Lunney will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on Feb. 10; the services were originally scheduled for Feb. 9, but are postponed due to weather forecasts. At her request there will be no wake, but family and friends are invited to gather at 10:30 a.m. in preparation for the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.