February 21, 2017

OBITUARY: Sr. Judith Ann Levins, SSJ

TwitterFacebook HOLYOKE — Sister of St. Joseph Judith Ann Levins (formerly Sister Mary Patrick), 79, a member of the Sisters […]

HOLYOKE — Sister of St. Joseph Judith Ann Levins (formerly Sister Mary Patrick), 79, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in the Daughters of the Heart of Mary Healthcare Unit, Holyoke on Feb. 16.

A native of Rutland, Vt., she was the daughter of the late P. Barrett and Jean (McKay) Levins.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rutland in 1955 from Christ the King Parish, Rutland, and became a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield when the two congregations merged in 2001.

She graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy, Rutland and earned a bachelor of science degree from the College of St. Joseph, Rutland and a master’s in theology from the University of Notre Dame. She also studied at Divine Word Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

She ministered in Rutland as teacher at St. Peter School, Mount St. Joseph Academy and the College of St. Joseph, where she also served as campus minister. She ministered at St. Francis de Sales Parish, Bennington, Vt., in religious education. 

She served the congregation in several positions, including novice director, 1974-78; vice president, 1978-81; and president, 1988-94. Starting in 1998, she ministered at St. Peter Parish, Rutland, as pastoral associate. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Valiant Woman Award granted by Church Women United of Rutland.

In addition to her sisters in community, she is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins and their families and by her sister-in-law, Alberta Levins. She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Catherine McKay, William Andrew Levins, Patrick Barrett Levins Jr., Joan Riebold, T. Douglas Levins and Michael Joseph Levins.

The wake will take place at St. Peter Church, Convent Ave., Rutland at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11. Burial in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland, will take place in the spring.

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