Sr. Josephine Ferrecchia

1920 - 2021

Sr. Josepine Ferrecchia MPF, the eldest member of the Pontifical Institute of the Religious Teachers Filippini worldwide, died peacefully at the age of 100 on Saturday, January 9, 2021, at Villa Walsh, Morristown, NJ. Due to restrictions from COVID-19, a private burial service was held at Ave Maria Cemetery, Villa Walsh, Morristown, NJ, on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, the birthday of the congregations Foundress, St. Lucy Filippini. Born in Marlboro, Mass., on Christmas Day in 1920, Sr. Josephine entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1930. She received the habit in 1937 and made her religious profession in 1940. In her early years of ministry Sr. Josephine taught the elementary grades of Kdgn., third, and fourth in Jersey City and Newark, NJ. Sr. Josephine received a BA degree in Music from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ. Having studied music composition at the NY College of Music, she pursued certifications in NJ for Sacred Music and Gregorian Chant. Attending the National Pastoral Musicians Conventions for many years, she traveled extensively and networked with professional musicians around the country whom she revered and from whom she learned much about liturgical music. Sr. Josephine was an integral part of the Schola Cantorum of the Filippini Sisters. Under the direction of Sr. Carolina Jonata, Sr. Josephine accompanied and directed many and various liturgical works, including the yearly Demonstration Masses for the Archdiocese of Newark, requested by the late Archbishop Thomas J. Walsh. She instructed sisters in formation for generations, instilling in them the long standing traditions of the Filippini repertoire. Innumerable piano students benefitted from her zeal for music. For over half a century, Sr. Josephine prepared, practiced, and directed every special province occasion, feast day, and holiday with perfection. She continued to conduct choral singing and to prepare weekly liturgies at the Motherhouse through her many decades of service, up to and including the last year of her long and fruitful life. As an esteemed member of the congregation, Sr. Josephine was entrusted with the responsibility of the communitys music library. She took this task seriously, and conscientiously maintained an impeccable inventory of the collections, accessing requested selections easily and promptly. Sr. Josephine will long be remembered for her zest for life, her witty sense of humor, her devotion to her community and personal prayer, her dedication to Our Blessed Mother, her affability and hospitality, and remarkable independence. Sr. Josephine is predeceased by her brothers James, Leonard, and Joseph, and her sisters Rose, Vera, and Sr. Mary Dolores, and is survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their families. Donations may be made to the Religious Teachers Filippini, c/o Sr. Patricia Pompa, MPF, Provincial Superior, Villa Walsh, 455 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960.