Sister Michaela Connolly, OP, formerly, Elizabeth Ann Connolly, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, N.Y. for 61 years, died unexpectedly on February 24, 2024. Sister Michaela was 78 years young.
Sister Michaela was born in the Bronx, N.Y. to Michael and Mary Kiernan Connolly on April 12, 1945. She entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on September 8, 1963 from Saint Luke’s Parish, Bronx, N.Y. She professed her first vows on June 17, 1965 and final vows on June 5, 1971.
Sister Michaela recently served for eighteen years on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Saint Dominic as Prioress and Councilor. In the recent edition of Blauvelt Connections, she wrote “Last summer after serving 18 years in Congregational leadership, I found myself asking, “What’s next? I wondered, how I might serve in a new way?” The answer came when Sr. Michaela was asked to join the staff of Preston Center of Compassion in the Bronx as an ESL teacher assistant. Sr. Michaela wrote, “Hearing their stories and learning of what they have overcome, has been an inspiration to me and has made me realize I have found my ‘what’s next?” Sr. Michaela made a grace-filled transition to a new ministry and made an impact during her short time at the Center for Compassion.
Sr. Michaela was full of energy and had a strong and compassionate spirit. She served in a variety of ministries. She ministered as Coordinator of the Ryan White HIV/Aids Program, Dominican Sisters Family Health Services; Principal and Dean of Students at Saint Raymond’s Academy for Girls, Bronx, N.Y.; Pastoral Associate at Saint Margaret’s Parish, Pearl River, N.Y. She was the Public Relations Director and Director of Development at Dominican University and in her early years was a teacher at Holy Spirit School and Saint Luke’s School both in the Bronx.
Sr. Michaela served on the Board of Trustees at Dominican University, Lavelle School for the Blind, Bronx, NY, and the Archdiocese of New York Regional Catholic Schools Board.
In addition to her religious congregation, Sister Michaela is survived by her sister-in-law, Myrna Connolly, her nieces Cassandre Connolly and Megan Connolly Carson, and her cousin, Mary Fee. Sister Michaela was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Mary Connolly, and her brother, James Connolly.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend services at:
ST. DOMINIC’S CONVENT
496 WESTERN HIGHWAY, BLAUVELT, NY 10913
FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Evening Prayer followed by a Time of Remembrance with a light supper.
SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024
WAKE: 9:30 am to 11:00 am
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11:00 am
BURIAL: ST. DOMINIC’S CONVENT CEMETERY, immediately following Mass.
Arrangements have been made by Hannemann Funeral Home, Nyack, New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Dominic, Blauvelt, New York
Click here for Evening Prayer recording.
