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Joel Sperier Obituary
March 3, 1932 - April 22, 2011
Sr. Joel Sperier, MSC (AKA Sr. Mary Magdalen) was born March 3, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas, Louisiana on April 22, 2011 at 12:30 PM.
Devoted to her family, she was preceded in death by her father, Paul Sperier of Adeline and her mother Aline Reaney of Algiers, Louisiana and also by her sister, Muriel Agnes (Enos) Sperier Dittmer of New Orleans, Louisiana.
She is survived by a nephew, Charles and his wife Suzanne Dittmer; and a niece, Sue and her husband Patrick McKinney; and her dear friends, L.O. and Scotty Broussard, of New Iberia.
She entered the Marianites of Holy Cross August 3, 1950, pronounced her first vows August 15, 1952 and her perpetual vows on August 15, 1955. She received a Master Degree in English Literature from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
She was involved in elementary and high school teaching and administration in New Orleans, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Lake Charles, Franklin, Houma, Ville Platte, and Plaucheville, Louisiana and in Ocean Springs, Mississippi She also taught at Taymouth Castle School in Perthshire, Scotland.
She had a profound devotion to St. Joseph and fondly referred to him as "Poppa Joe." Her favorite picture of him graced her walls and, by her example, she promoted devotion to him. With her Marianite Sisters at her bedside, her final words were prayers to St. Joseph.
Wake service: Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home, Monday, April 25th, 6:00 PM-8:00PM and Tuesday, April 26th, 8:00 AM-9:45AM followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00 AM in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home.
Burial will be in New Orleans, Louisiana at Our Lady of Holy Cross Mausoleum, 4123 Woodland Dr, April 26th at 3PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Sr. Joel Sperier, MSC to the Marianites of Holy Cross, 1011 Gallier Street, New Orleans, LA., 70117.
Words of comfort to the family and Marianite Sisters may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joel Sperier
Karen Pilgreen
April 18, 2021
I dearly loved sister Joel!! She was one of a kind! I thought of her when Sister Mary David died in December and how they must have enjoyed their reunion. We had some beautiful times together at Saint Joseph school and even after they moved to Prompt Succor in Opelousas. I think of her family members as well, Sue, Pat & Charlie, and wonder how they are as we heard so much about them over the years! She loved her family and she loved her city of New Orleans! I think about her every good Friday in particular because that’s the day she gained heaven after a lifetime of devotion, and also her great love for St. Joseph or “Papa Joe” as she fondly called him!!! I pray that she is now watching over all of us! God bless her and much love!
Jonathan Savant
May 1, 2011
Sister Joel was a wonderful and kind person. I had the pleasure of learning from her at St Joseph's. She will be deeply missed.
Donaldo R. Batiste, Ph.D.
April 30, 2011
Dear Marianite Sisters and Family of Sr. Mary Magdalene (Sr. Joel):
Sister was a shining example of Christ in action. I met Sister as a student at Vandebilt Catholic High School (1967) in Houma. Although Sister never taught me in the classroom, she taught me about Jesus through her words, deeds and actions. She was a nun filled with zest for life and God's people. I always found her to be respectful and endearing. Imagine my surprise in 1990 when I encountered her at the flea market in New Orleans (some 23 years after our days at Vandebilt), and she was able to call me by name! I am confident that Sister's soul is asleep in the bosom of Jesus, and that she awaits the glorious resurrection. God bless each of you who join us in mourning her passing and celebrating her life!
amilyn george teems
April 26, 2011
sr. joel, you were one of the great teachers at the academy of the holy angels. you made writing fun and enjoyable. i will always remember your smiling face and the compassion you had for your students.
April 25, 2011
I was so sad to hear of Sr. Joel's passing. I didn't keep up with her over the years as I wanted to, but she was rarely out of my thoughts. She helped and guided me much more than what she taught in the classroom. I named one of my sons "Joel" in honor of her. Thank you Sr. Joel and may God grant you Eternal Rest.
Kay Domangue Waldron
St. Francis De Sales Class of 1965
Heather Meyers
April 25, 2011
I was honored to have Sister teach me at St. Joseph, what a loving, caring and thoughtful person.
When my son began his school years at St. Joseph she called him her grandchild.
May you now be our angel in heaven and watch over us!!!
God Bless you Sister Joel
Katie Riemer
April 25, 2011
Sister Joel was such an amazing person. She always had a smile on her face. I had the pleasure to have been taught by Sister Joel throughout my highschool years at St. Joseph. She will be missed by many.
April 24, 2011
Sister Joel was my friend for the past eighteen years and I am so very thankful to have known her. She taught my son, Chase, my daughter-in-laws, Louise Gremillion Pilgreen and Claire Kojis Pilgreen, and we worked together for thirteen years at St. Joseph School. She never failed to ask how my family was, even on the day before she died. She and Sister Mary David Hecker taught at St. Joseph School, and inspired students and staff with their devotion to Catholic education. God blessed me and my family with their friendship during those years until the present. I was priviledged to spend time with Sister Joel these last weeks as she transitioned between this life and the next, and can say without reservation that she was ready to be with Saint Joseph, her patron, and our God, whom she served for so many years. She loved St. Joseph School in Plaucheville because it bore the name of her dear "Papa Joe", and she trully loved the students and staff. She referred to the children of students she had taught as her grandchildren. She appreciated the care she received from her Sisters in faith, and the staff at Prompt Succor, and always told me how good they were to her. She spoke often of her family, her niece Sue and husband, Pat; and nephew, Charlie and wife Susan. She was loved by her dear friends Scottie and husband, Dr. L.O. Broussard, who proved their love by their numerous visits, and beautiful flowers and gifts. Sister Mary David is mourning the loss of a Marionite Sister as well as a companion for the 18 years they lived and worked together at St. Joseph. Sister Kay and Sister Mary Ann were faithful caregivers during the time Sister Joel lived at Prompt Succor and I am so very thankful for the devotion they gave her, as well as the attention given her by all of the other Marionites, especially Sister Ann Lacour, Sister Marie Emma Noel, and the beautiful prayers offered by Sister Audrey as Sister Joel passed from this world into the next. I will miss Sister Joel so much! I will remember her as a wonderful friend, and I thank God for allowing me to be a part of her life. Karen Pilgreen
Karen Moreau
April 24, 2011
Maxwell and I were so sad by Sr. Joel's passing. She was a dear and close friend to us from the beginning of her tenure in Avoyelles Parish. She lived across the street with Sr. Mary David and Sr. Core Marie in Mansura. I taught with Sr. Joel for so many years at SJS, and she always felt comfortable calling on us. Her great love for St. Joseph inspired all who knew her, and we know she is in heaven with her
"Poppa Joe". I will miss you so much Sr. Joel! And I will never forget all the talks we had. Your guidance has strengthened me in my ministry, and has made me stronger in my faith.Love and prayers Sista..Rest in Peace
Phyllis Veade
April 24, 2011
What an honor and pleasure it was to have worked with Sr. Joel for 5 yrs. at St. Joseph School in Plaucheville. She ALWAYS had words of encouragment, a funny saying, or just a beaming smile to greet you. She will be missed, but I know she is overjoyed to be with the Lord now. Rest in peace, Sister Joel.
Ashley Weatherford
April 24, 2011
My heart breaks to know that Sr. Joel is no longer with us, yet celebrates that she is now with our Lord. I have so many fond memories of her my teacher "when I was a baby dinosaur". She always had a way of relating to her students, especially with her little sayings. Sr. Joel, you will be greatly missed, yet somehow I know that you will still be watching over all of your former students. Thank you for teaching me so much about literature and life.
April 24, 2011
I am so sorry to hear about Sister Joel's passing. She was a big part of my daughter's life as well as mine. I worked with her for 9 years at St. Joesph School. We will miss her very much. My prayers are with her family and friends.
Kelly Brouillette and Shellie Brouillette
Trent & Terri Gremillion
April 24, 2011
I am saddened to find out of Sister Joel's passing, but joyous to know that she is in such a majestic place now and so deserving of it. She taught both my husband and I at St. Joseph, and followed us for 15 years afterwards. She was a beautiful, devoted, and shining influence in our lives, and we were greatly blessed to have known her. Rest in peace Sister Joel.
April 24, 2011
Sister Joel left a memory in all our hearts at St. Joseph School in Plaucheville, La. She loved all her students along with their families always asking about the children after they had graduated when running into parents. She will be missed by all but I'm sure she is in the loving arms of our Lord. Rest in peace Sister, job well done!!
Nevelyn (Nev) Richard
April 24, 2011
Sr. Joel was truly a teacher in and out of the classroom. There were many lessons she taught by her wisdom and example. She had a way of making English interesting. Sister loved her students at Vandy. Whenever I spoke with her, she would always ask about my schoolmates, classmates, and family. Sister was proud of her own family and spoke of them often. She will be truly missed by all. Love you sister, Nev
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