SISTER CATHERINE O’CONNELL, O.P., formerly Sr. Claret, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York for the past 64 years, died on April 28, 2014 in St. Martin de Porres Infirmary, Blauvelt. Sister Catherine was 83 years of age.
Sister Catherine was born to Catherine O'Connell and William O'Connell on June 19, 1931 in the Bronx, New York. She entered the Sisters of St. Dominic on January 1, 1950 from Our Lady of Hope Parish, Queens Village, NY. Sister received the Dominican habit on August 24, 1950, professed her first vows on August 25, 1951, and her final vows on August 25, 1954.
Sister held an AAS in Education from Dominican Jr College, a BS in Education from Fordham University and an MA in Counseling and Psychology from Manhattan College. Sisters many years of active ministry were devoted to education as a teacher and principal. She taught in the following schools; St. Anselm, Bronx, 1952-56; St. Philip & James 1956-60 and 1970-71; Holy Cross 1960-64; St. Pius, Providence, RI, 1964-68; St. Pius, Bronx, 1968-70; St. Raymond, Providence, RI, 1971-73; 1973-89 teacher and principal; St. Augustine, Providence, RI, 1989-2003; 2006-07, Sacred Heart, Hartsdale, NY 2006-07 tutor. In addition to her religious congregation, Sr. Catherine is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.