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Josetta Preller Obituary
SISTER JOSETTA MARIA PRELLER, SNJM (Age 95)
On Tuesday, April 19, 2011, of Silver Spring, MD. A long-time teacher and principal at St. Gabriel's and St. Michael's Catholic Schools. Beloved aunt of Drew Boyland. Survived by a grandniece, grand- nephews and her Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Religious Community. Relatives and friends may call at St. John the Evangelist Church, 10103 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, Sunday, April 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. and again Monday, April 25, 2011 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. where Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of the Holy Names Retirement Fund or Sisters of the Holy Name Ministries, US Ontario Provincial Administration, PO Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Josetta Preller
joseph dyke
April 30, 2024
Always a sweet memory in my day, Sister josetta you definitely were THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe Dyke
Jim Willging
May 5, 2022
She taught me in 7th and 8th grade. Was the complete package: not just a great teacher but a wonderful mentor with a warm and friendly personality and you not all the nuns were warm and friendly back then. I still think of her often even after so many years.
Jim Brown St.Gabriels class of 52
April 16, 2020
She was a wonderful person and an excellent teacher. She also knew how to control a group of roudy preteen age boys! We all loved her.
Nicholas (Nick) Bartolomeo
April 19, 2019
Sister Josetta was such a beautiful lady and did everything to help you succeed. She was a down to earth lady and had a wonderful sense of humor. In here retirement days she was with friends including me and we were going to eat crabs. She agree to partake but said only if I could have one beer with my crabs. See God she was a good Marylander.
John Marchetti
April 16, 2019
She was a living Saint, She truly loved her students.
Manifesting The Kingdom Award, January 2011
Charles McGovern
May 3, 2011
Billy Kelly
May 2, 2011
May 2, 2011, Bill Kelly here from the SGS Class of 1954. Sue and I were in Ireland and could not attend her funeral.
I remember Sr. Josetta as the most influencial woman in my life beside my Mom Nora Kelly and my lovely wife Sue Ferber Kelly/ I have known Sr. Josetta for nearly sixty years and met with her many times over the years. She was always upbeat positive on all occassions and always let us know she remembered us all the time and kept us and our families in her prayers. So glad she departed this earth during Easter Week and went directly to Heaven and her eternal rewards. I agree with all the mesagges from from our fellow classmates and their wonderful remarks/tributes/memories to such wonderful/memoriable person. We will greatly miss Sister Josetta, but she will never be forgotten. Thank you so much for all that youe have given us all your 95 years on earth. God Love You Billy Kelly
Bill Kelly
May 2, 2011
Class of 1954. I want to comment on our wonderfful 7th Class Teacher Sister Josetta
Joe Dyke
May 1, 2011
How little we realize when a very special person enters our lives. Sister Josetta certainly is one of the truly special ones as shown by the reactions of all of us that were touched by her presence.
To realize that someone could impact so many lives over decades is truly an inspiration. It makes me reflect once more on my priorities in life and realize that the essence of our lives is in caring for each other.
Sister Josetta always asked me how my life and family were getting along. The question was never about herself and her needs. What an inspiration!
May she rest peacefully in the bosom of God. I will cherish my love for her always.
Joe Dyke, class of 1952.
Fred Grimmnitz
April 30, 2011
Sister Josetta was a shining example of what all of us should strive for.
She told me that sometimes she had 50 or 60 students in one class! I asked her, "How did you do it?". She said,"I prayed a lot, Fred". Recently, I sat in on her Bible Class. The last time I was in a classroom with Sister Josetta as the teacher and I as the student was in 1953, 58 years ago! 58 years had passed and here she was, still teaching and inspiring. She went with me to my Nichiren Buddhist Center in D.C. to learn about what I was doing. She was so openminded.We all had the good fortune to count her as a friend.
April 29, 2011
We may have graduated from SGS in '52 but we never forgot or lost contact with the wonderful teacher who prerared us for adulthood, like it or not. We have been very lucky to have had Sister with us all these years so that we could go back to her for the enjoyment of her company and just feeling good being near her; like being near our own mother.
I'll always remember Sister out on Webster Street supervising the 6th, 7t, and 8th grades and sometimes picking up a stray football and passing it better than some recent Redskin QBs. Also, we all remember the "look". She didn,t have to say anything, just that look did it.
Heaven is a better place now, they have Sister Josetta with them now and we have another saint to pray to for help and we know she will help, she always did.
Jim Brown, another proud member of the Atom Smashing Class of '52
JoAnn (Walp) McWilliams
April 29, 2011
Have been thinking of something to write.Nothing seems correct and I am afraid you will correct my punctuation. You know something, that is one of the reason I loved you. Please correct if necessary. Love you. Jodie
Josetta Bonadonna
April 28, 2011
65 years go I had the priviledge of being named after Sr. Josetta. She taught my older sisters and brother at Our Lady of Solace Elementary School in Coney Island - Brooklyn, NY in the 1930's - She left a lasting beautiful impression on three little children who never forgot her. I am honored to have your name.
Rest in peace,
Josetta Clausi Bonadonna, Freehold, NJ
Ginger Hawk, Palmateer
April 27, 2011
I haven't been to recent gatherings with Sister Josetta since I live in TN but I have never forgotten the 7th grade at SGS. She was the prettiest, coolest, and most influential nun we ever had.
Charlie McGovern
April 27, 2011
Charlie McGovern
April 27, 2011
What can one say about Sister Josetta that hasn’t been already said? She was an incredible person who accomplished so much in her 95 years. She brings to my mind a section in the old Readers Digest magazine "My Most Unforgettable Character" as she fits the description perfectly. Although I never had her as a teacher I learned a lot form her. I first met Sister Josetta about 60 years ago when I was active in St. Gabriel’s parish and she got me, and several others, involved in building floats for the Patrol Boy Parades in Washington, D.C. Needless to say, because of her interest and involvement, the school won First Place several years in secession. We kept in touch over these many years and I always felt it a privilege that she considered me as a friend. She was indeed “Unforgettable” and will be sorely missed by her many friends, former students and the good Sisters of The Holy Names the community of nuns that Sister served with, faithfully, for 75 years.
Charlie McGovern
April 26, 2011
Christine (Caruso) Marshall
April 26, 2011
Sister Josetta was my 7th Grade teacher who I liked and respected. She was a beautiful young girl in the 50's and continued to be beautiful inside and outside as the years progressed. My grandmother, Louise O'Brien informed her of the birth of my first child and I received a lovely note from her. I didn't keep up with her like a lot of students did but felt I was always important to her. I last saw her at her 74th birthday party at Mrs. K's and she welcomed me as if I had kept in touch with her constantly. I will keep her in my prayers and know that the many people who kept in touch with her are comforted by the number of people who were at church to send her back to God and to hear the wonderful stories of her life. May she rest in peace and be there to pull me up when my time comes.
James Pinckney
April 26, 2011
I had very little dealings with Sister Josetta since I only attended SGS one year (8th grade.)I will miss her and my heart and prayers will be with Sister and her family.
Jim Pinckney
William Steed
April 26, 2011
Sister Josetta was not only our class's favorite teacher, but a "back-up Mom" to many of us. It was a privilege to continue an adult relationship with Josetta, and introduce her to my children and Grandchildren. She became one of my wife's and my best friends along with Sister Maria Faina, a 1952 classmate who lived with Josetta. She was a true gift to the world and it was with great heartache that I attended her funeral and watched as Monsignor Essex, another SGS grad helped to "return her to sender"
Billy Steed, proud to be a member of "The Atom Smashing Class of '52
Margaret Quinlan
April 24, 2011
I never had Sr. Josetta, but heard of her often from my aunt, Sr. Agnes McCarthy. She was well loved by all who knew her. Her family will be in my prayers.
Ronnie Mulhern Offen
April 24, 2011
I was scared to death of you when I was a kid at St. Gabriel's. But by high school I really liked you and enjoyed visiting with you as an adult. You were strict, but fair; and made us think.
Ronnie Mulhern Offen, St. Gabriel's & Holy Names 1955-66.
Joseph Conge
April 24, 2011
As a student at St Gabriels in the 1950's, I recall Sr. Josetta's father often leaving his Ford on Webster Street so that his beloved daughter could use it to drive her fellow nuns to appointments. We boys admired Sister even more because the car was a stick shift. Sr. Josetta had no trouble in preparing her 8th grade boys for taking the high school exam, and serving as St. Gabriels principal because we students loved her. In the 1960's, Sister took the time to write to me while I served as a Marine in Vietnam. When it is my turn, I know that I will have Sr. Josetta there to prepare me for my duties.
Tina (Poulos) Clements
April 24, 2011
My childhood memories include the love Sister Ruth bestowed to my family. The Boyland and Prellar family are in my prayers.
Carole Samperton
April 24, 2011
Although I never had Sister Josetta has a teacher, she was always a positive influence on me as well. It is because of her encouragement and prayers that I sought and was awarded an annulment and thus able to "return to the fold". She will always be in my prayer of thanks for people who made a difference in my life. Heaven has received a wonderful gift in Sister Josetta. St. Gabriel's Class of 1957 - Carole Iaccheri
Vicki Vega
April 24, 2011
Heaven will never be the same now that Sr. Josetta is there. Here vivacious spirit, straight talk and keen perception will add to the majesty of eternity in the same way positively touched the lives of those on earth. She was my teacher, mentor and friend. For that, I am grateful.
Michael Nicholson
April 23, 2011
Sister Josetta always impressed me not only with her vivacity, serenity, and wit but also by her warm heart and generous spirit. I was touched by her hospitality when I spent the summer interning in Washington D.C. in 2003. I know that she has inspired many people through her teaching and devotion to the Church. Rest in peace - you will not be forgotten.
April 23, 2011
It's been many years since I was your student but our friendship has lasted on and on. Rosemary and I will miss your telephone calls and remember the last time we saw you when you were in Albany for a retreat. We know you are now at peace with the Lord.
Pat Miller
Albany, NY
Barbara Boyland
April 22, 2011
I well always miss you well be in my prayers were ever i go or what i do and i well miss the fun time we had togther you will not be forgotten. My God rest your soul in peace.
Barbara Boyland
April 22, 2011
You well always be in my prayers were ever i go and do and i well miss you always be keep the fondest memories that we had togther always and i will not be forgotten my God rest your soul in peace.
Al Heflin
April 22, 2011
You were always my favorite teacher. I keep the fondest memories of my time as your student. PAX. Al Heflin St. Gabriel's 1952-1960.
April 22, 2011
Thank you Sister Josetta for all you have done in your many decades of teaching, as I remember you in recent years.
Your inspiring example will not be forgotten.
God rest your soul!
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