A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 16, at St. Christopher Church in Parsippany, N.J., for Sister Bernadette Connor (Sister Peter Maria) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, who died on March 11 in Morristown, N.J. She was 91.
Born in New York City, Sister Connor was the daughter of Peter and Mary Ann (Shanahan) Connor. She entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, N.Y., in 1954, professed her first vows in 1956, and professed her final vows in 1959. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh.
Sister Connor devoted her life to the ministry of elementary education. She began teaching at St. Anthony School in Hawthorne, N.J., in 1956 and continued to serve faithfully as both a teacher and a principal for more than five decades, retiring in 2009.
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During her 53 years in education, Sister Connor also served Christ the King School in Yonkers, N.Y., Ss. Peter and Paul School in Trenton, N.J., and, beginning in 1973, at St. Christopher School in Parsippany, N.J. After St. Christopher School closed, she continued her ministry part-time at All Saints Academy, also in Parsippany. The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey honored her as an outstanding educator.
Though born in New York, Sister Connor spent part of her infancy in Ireland before returning to the United States. Proud of her Irish heritage, she studied the Gaelic language and was an active member of the Irish American Association of New Jersey, assisting with the annual St. Patrick’s Day Liturgy and other cultural events. She also enjoyed traditional Ceili dancing with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Sister Connor was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her cousin, Mary Forrest, and several cousins in Ireland.
A viewing for Sister Connor will be held at St. Christopher Church in Parsippany, N.J., on Sunday, March 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., and on Monday, March 16, beginning at 9 a.m. and followed by a Remembrance Service at 9:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the church at 10 a.m. Sister Connor will be buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, N.Y.
Donations in Sister Connor’s name may be sent to the Development Office, Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 North Highland Ave., Ossining, N.Y. 10562.
