Discalced Carmelite Sister Juanita of Jesus and Mary, 94

Discalced Carmelite Sister Juanita of Jesus and Mary, formerly Encarnacion Chunga, died on Jan. 25 at the Monastery of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel in Morristown. She was 94. Sister Juanita was surrounded by her community of sisters who accompanied her with prayers.

‘Sister Juanita was born to Lovenz Chunga and Marie Martinez in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1930. “Connte,” as she was nicknamed, was the fifth of seven children. She was raised in Flatbush and attended college in the area.

Sister Juanita entered the Carmelite Monastery of Mary Immaculate and St. Mary Magdalen in Flemington. She was accepted as a “lay sister” and received the name Sister Juanita of Jesus and Mary. She made her solemn vows in 1962. As a “lay sister,” she served as the community’s cook.

In the late 1970s, the prioress asked for sisters to assist at the Carmel in Morristown. Sister Juanita volunteered, bringing her generous spirit and passion for cooking and baking. She was always willing to serve, especially assisting the community’s sick and elderly sisters.

Later, due to personal circumstances, Sister Juanita remained outside the community for a time. She returned to the Carmel in Morristown in 2020 when her health declined. At 90, she still had a spirit of service, often helping with the dishes and in the kitchen until she could not manage without assistance.

Sister Juanita is pre-deceased by her siblings and is survived by her nieces and nephews and her family of sisters in Morristown.

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