Kind, generous, hard-working, and devoted to education, Sister Jo Ann will long be remembered by the students she taught, their families, and the people with whom she ministered in Our Lady of the Angelus Parish
Sister Jo Ann Schwarz (Sister Miriam Loreto) was born April 21, 1942 in Manhattan, one of three daughters of Chester and Loretta Diemar Schwarz. Jo Ann attended Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Cathedral High School in Manhattan. She worked for two years at Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a statistician before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1961. Sister Jo Ann earned her BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MS in Elementary Education and an MA in Theology, both from Saint John’s University. She later earned NYS permanent certification in the elementary grades.
Sister Jo Ann’s first teaching assignment was in Saint Monica School in Jamaica, Queens, where she taught grades three and six and then became Principal. In 1973 she began her ministry of thirty-eight years at Our Lady of the Angelus Parish in Rego Park, first as eighth grade teacher for seven years and then as Parish Coordinator for thirty-one years. In those many years, Sister Jo Ann earned the confidence and trust of five pastors who allowed her to direct the Religious Education Program, lead inquirers to the Catholic faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), oversee sacramental preparation for children, and organize assistance for the elderly of the parish. In 2011, when Sister Jo Ann’s health declined, she moved to the Convent of Mary the Queen. In 2015, she and a group of sisters from Mary the Queen formed a retirement community at Frances Schervier Nursing Center in the Bronx.
Kind, generous, hard-working, and devoted to education, Sister Jo Ann will long be remembered by the students she taught, their families, and the people with whom she ministered in Our Lady of the Angelus Parish. Sister Jo Ann kept an interest in several hobbies, had a good sense of humor and loved being with people. She enjoyed sharing community with the sisters with whom she lived and spending time with her family and friends.
We rejoice with her now as she is welcomed by our loving God who greets her, “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.” Be at peace, Sister Jo Ann.
The Mass for Sister Jo Ann will be video streamed at 10:00 am on Monday, May 7, 2018 from Mount Saint Vincent Convent. If you wish to join us on line, the link is below:
https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Date of Death
May 2, 2018
Age
76
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, NY 10471
718.601.5370
Sunday, May 6, 2018
2:00 – 6:30 pm
Prayer Service 4:30 pm
Mass of Resurrection
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
Monday, May 7, 2018 10 am
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Diocese of Brooklyn
- St. Monica, Jamaica
1965–73, Teacher, Principal - Our Lady of Angelus, Rego Park
1973–80, Teacher, Gr. 8
1980–2011, Parish Coordinator
On behalf of the Class of 1954 and the entire Our Lady of Good Counsel family, please accept condolences for the loss of Sister Jo Ann Schwarz. She was a joy to her schoolmates and classmates and we are certain she must have been the same to those whose lives she touched throughout her missions.
Jo Ann was one of the OLGC graduates excluded by the organizers of a celebration for the 125th Anniversary of our church – an act that was resented by many who knew her.
Our prayers will remember her and, we hope, help console her family and associates.
Rest in Peace Jo Ann
Philip Wilson, OLGC 1954
I taught at Our Lady of the Angelus School with Sister JoAnn. She was my good good friend. When my children were born they loved visiting Aunt JoAnn and getting yummy pretzels from her. She was wonderful to my in laws Maud and Dave Herlihy and I will always cherish dinner memories with JoAnn and my family at their home.
My condolences to her family.
On behalf of OLA’s Class of 1982, I would like to offer my condolences. I was a member of Sr. JoAnn’s 5:30 mass “folk group” at OLA, and I have fond memories of Sr. JoAnn playing her guitar and leading us in modern-day versions of our favorite hymns. These songs have stayed with me over the years, and I am so grateful to Sr. JoAnn for this special memory. May she rest in peace.
My prayers go out for Sister Jo Ann. I am sure Is bringing joyous music to heaven now, accompanied on the organ once again by my mom.
With Love and remembrance,
Patricia Carpio McIntyre
Class of 1982,
Daughter of OLA organist Alícia Manjarin Carpio
I am saddened to learn of the passing of Sr. Joann. I remember her fondly from my childhood and as a student of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Manhattan. When I was in 6th grade I had Sr, john Mariam (Sr. Kathleen Brady). I remember Sr. Joann coming to see her after school and as I helped Sr. John a lot, that’s how I got to know her. I remember walking Sr. Joann home to her apartment on the corner building om 90th Street and First Avenue. I have remembered her thru all these years as being a very nice and kind person. May she rest in peace.
So many fond memories of Sister JoAnn, from my years at Our Lady of the Angelus, in the classroom or at Folk Group. I can hear her voice singing and encouraging us to sing out loud. Thank you Sister and Rest In Peace
Deborah (Santiago) Gonzalez
OLA, Class of 1982
Sr. Jo Ann was a warm kind presence at OLA. I am thankful for her dedication to education and may she rest in peace.
Mary Jane Clarke, OLA, class of ’82
I have fond memories of her playing the guitar and leading us all in song at First Friday masses. She always had a smile on her face and was always so kind. Rest In Peace Sister JoAnn and god bless you.
Comment from my son Craig, who graduated from OLA: “God bless her. She was tough but fair, a good lady and servant of the church. Sorry to hear about her passing. May she rest in peace.”
When I decided to go on my first retreat, I asked Sr. Jo Ann for a recommendation. She suggested I go on a directed retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House in Manhasset. She told me what to expect and gave me information on three priests who worked there. I returned there several times. At home we still remember what we call “Sr. Jo Ann songs”. One that keeps playing in my mind is “On Eagle’s Wings”.
She set us a good example. Now she sings with the angels, strumming her guitar. RIP
I kept in touch with Joanne for many years after leaving NYC. We were friends growing up in OLGC Parish. She was a great friend and we shared many good times as teens.
Maureen Campbell Faircloth