SR. FRANCIS JEROME MELODY, formerly Catherine Melody, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York for the past 82 years, died on April 20, 2013 at St. Martin de Porres Infirmary. Sister Francis Jerome was 99 years of age.
Sr. Francis Jerome was born to Patrick Melody and Catherine Conheeney on October 28, 1913, in Manhattan. She entered the Sisters of St. Dominic on September 8, 1931, from St. Jerome's Parish, Bronx, New York. Sr. Francis Jerome received the Dominican habit on April 14, 1932, professed first vows on April 17, 1933, and made final profession on April 17, 1936.
Sister held the B.S. in Education from Fordham University, Bronx, NY.
Sr. Francis Jerome's many years of active ministry were devoted to the education of youth as a teacher and principal. Sister's ministries included Holy Cross School, Manhattan 1933-1936; and the following schools all located in the Bronx, NY: St. Luke's 1936-1940, St. Pius V., 1940-1946, Holy Spirit, 1946-1951, Our Lady of the Assumption, 1951-1963, 1977-1983, St. Benedict's, 1963-1969 as principal, and St. Mary's 1969-1977. From 1983-1996 Sister ministered to the sick and elderly. at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Bronx, NY, after which time she retired to a Ministry of Prayer at Our Lady of the Assumption. In 2001 Sr. Francis Jerome returned to St. Dominic's Convent and continued the ministry of prayer, healing and comfort to her friends and the members of the congregation. In addition to her religious congregation, Sr. Francis Jerome is survived by her nieces Maureen Doyle, Patricia McMahon, and her nephews Gerard Melody and Patrick Fitzgerald. She was predeceased by sisters Rita Fitzgerald, Mary Melody and Honoria Melody, brother John and nephew Robert Fitzgerald.