Sister Maureen A. Joyce RSM

Joyce, Sister Maureen A. RSM ALBANY Sister Maureen A. Joyce, RSM entered into eternal life on Friday, May 21, 2010, surrounded by her loving family, the Sisters of Mercy and close friends. Sister Maureen was the daughter of Harold Daniel and Mary Heery Joyce and the granddaughter of Bridget Gleason Heery who lived with her and was her guide during her childhood and youth. She is survived by her brother, Lawrence H. and sister-in-law Rose Marie Joyce of Cobleskill and her brother, Harold T. Joyce of Albany; her nieces, Maureen A. Tissiere of Westerly, R.I. and Marybeth Maurice (David) of Rotterdam, N.Y.; and her nephew, Daniel R. Joyce (Mary Beth) of Averill Park, N.Y.; her beloved grandniece and grandnephews, Emily Joyce and Daniel Tissiere, Sean Tissiere, Myles Joyce, Owen Joyce, and Jonathon and Samuel Maurice; as well as many cousins. She is also survived by the Sisters of Mercy; her dear friend, Sister Mary Ann LoGiudice RSM, who was so attentive to her during her last illness; and her biggest fan, her dog, Tyrone, one of a long line of pets who were either found by Sister Maureen or who found her. In addition, Sister Maureen's numerous friends, colleagues and recipients of her advocacy, kindness and counsel will miss her caring presence and gracious manner. A Sister of Mercy for 49 years, Sister Maureen taught at Christ the King Elementary School in Guilderland and was a medical social worker at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany. In July of 1971, while pursuing studies at the State University of New York in Albany, she founded and became the first executive director of community maternity services. In this position, she paved the way for giving compassionate support to pregnant unwed teenagers and developed innovative parenting programs. In 1990, she was appointed chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, a position she held until the time of her death. As director of Catholic Charities, Sister Maureen guided an organization that operates 13 community-based agencies providing programs and assistance in 14 counties, serving over 90,000 people annually. A woman of incredible vision, with remarkable leadership abilities, she had a keen awareness of people's needs and was an effective and fearless advocate for those who faced injustice and insurmountable difficulties. Serving on several local and national committees and boards, she displayed extraordinary dedication and willingness to contribute her time and expertise. Sister Maureen's reach extended far beyond the Diocese of Albany. For 40 years, she consistently advocated for the poor in her efforts to address public policy issues, especially in her leadership roles with statewide councils and national committees of the New York State Catholic Conference and Catholic Charities USA. Sister Maureen's leadership and numerous accomplishments have been acknowledged many times. She received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from both Siena College (1978) and the College of St. Rose (1989). In addition, she received many other awards and honors for her outstanding service during her years of ministry. While expressing gratitude for the awards, she always gave credit to those with whom she ministered, the supporters of Catholic Charities and the people she was privileged to serve. On January 11, 2010, Sister Maureen was presented with the second nation-wide Centennial Medal from Catholic Charities USA by its President Father Larry Snyder. She was extremely proud to receive this prestigious award. It was a fitting tribute that many of those people on both the local and national level of Catholic Charities were there to honor her that day. Sister Maureen encouraged those present to "take time to celebrate the gifts we are to each other" and "to make each day a celebration of life and love." She lived by these words and they are a fitting legacy for those she leaves behind. The Sisters of Mercy would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Lawrence Garbo, Mary Sokoloski, and the staff at New York Oncology Hematology and to Sister Maureen's caring and compassionate nurses, Debbie McHugh and Kathy Lind, from St. Peter's Home Care for the great tenderness with which they cared for our sister. Viewing hours will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2010 in the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a prayer service of remembrance in the chapel at 7:00 p.m. A wake will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2010 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 609 Central Avenue, Albany where the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard presiding. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Those who wish may make donations in Sister Maureen's memory to Catholic Charities, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203-1422 or to the Sisters of Mercy, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.