April 15, 2024

OBITUARY: Sister Mary Angela Haggerty, SP

REGIONAL

1930-2024
HOLYOKE – Sister of Providence Mary Angela Haggerty died on April 12, 2024 in the 72nd year of her religious life. Born in Springfield, she was the daughter of John and Lillian (O’Brien) Haggerty. A graduate of Cathedral High School, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1953 and completed her novitiate formation.

She began her ministry in the admitting and administration offices of several Sisters of Providence institutions including Providence Hospital, Our Lady of Providence Children’s Center (later Brightside), the former St. Luke’s Hospital in Pittsfield, and St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Mass. Later, in 1966, she worked in the accounting office at Mercy Hospital in Springfield and then as supervisor of the business office.

In 1972, she began nursing studies as at Springfield Technical Community College where she received an associate degree in 1974. She then served as a staff nurse at Providence Hospital from 1975 to 1980 when she resigned to seek her bachelor of science degree in nursing from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Conn. Upon graduating in 1982, she ministered at the Sisters of Providence Infirmary at Providence Hospital and as a public health nurse with the Springfield Visiting Nurses Association from 1982-86. She also returned to St. Joseph College to pursue a master’s degree in human development with a concentration in gerontology, which she received in 1986.

After attending the Wellsprings Program for Christian Ministries, she became for several years the local coordinator at Providence Mother House (1988-98). She then assumed the role of health care coordinator for the congregation from 1999 to 2002. Next, she provided pastoral care in the infirmary at Providence Hospital and served as sacristan, and in 2009, continued providing sacristan services and pastoral care at Mary’s Meadow Skilled Nursing Facility until her retirement in 2019.

She is survived by her sisters in community, her niece Jean Bracci and her husband Vincent, nieces Patty Hamilton and Peggy Hamilton, and nephew Edward Hamilton.

The wake will be held on Monday, April 15 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Providence Place Chapel, 5 Gamelin Street, Holyoke, MA. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 16 at 10 a.m. in the Providence Place Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 5 Gamelin St., Holyoke, MA 01040.