“You often wonder after taking care of so many children, how they turn out. Then you see the good people they become and it gives you a good feeling.“
Sister Marilda Joseph (Theresa) was born on August 15, 1916 in New York City. She was one of five daughters of William and Helen Collins Aeillo. Theresa attended P.S. 70 in Astoria, Queens, Bryant High School in Long Island City, and Saint John’s Baby Hospital Nursing Program before entering the Sisters of Charity on February 2, 1943.
Sister Marilda’s first and only mission was the New York Foundling Hospital. She ministered here in many capacities over the course of more than sixty years. In 1945 she was the Supervisor of the Nursery and developed a very successful program for children at Saint Joseph-by-the-Sea in Staten Island. She also supervised the units called Saint Ann’s 7 and 8. She was then given the mammoth job of supervising the Purchasing Department, after which she became the Director of Plant Operations. Sister Marilda’s many talents were put to excellent use as she lovingly served in the many departments to which she was assigned. From 1997 to 2006, Sister Marilda was the archivist for the New York Foundling. She carefully organized the records of the institution she knew and loved so well.
Young Sister Marilda at the New York Foundling.
Sister Marilda enjoyed all her work, but most especially supervising the children who were under her care. Her face was a vision of joy when she would visit the handicapped children. She would tenderly hold them and whisper her words of love. In 2006, Sister Marilda retired to the Convent of Mary the Queen where she engaged in the ministry of prayer, service and witness.
In an interview with Catholic New York Sister Marilda said, “You often wonder after taking care of so many children, how they turn out. Then you see the good people they become and it gives you a good feeling.” There are many of Sister Marilda Joseph’s former children who remember her with love and gratitude, as do all who knew her at the New York Foundling Hospital.
May you rest in peace, Sister Marilda, as you bask in the beauty of God’s light.
DATE OF DEATH
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
WAKE
Convent of Mary the Queen
Thursday, August 28, 2014
2:00 – 8:00 pm
Prayer Service at 6:30 pm
FUNERAL MASS
Convent of Mary the Queen
Friday, August 29, 2014
10:00 am
BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
- The New York Foundling
1945–1958, Nursery Supervisor - The New York Foundling
1958–1997, Director of Plant Operation - Archivist, Bronx
1997–2006
Sister Marilda Joseph Aeillo was not only my Aunt but the one person I owe my life to. She was the one who introduced me and my twin brother to my Mother and Father, Mr. and Mrs. James N. Reilly who adopted us both on May 6, 1946. Mrs. Reilly was Vera M. Aeillo, one of Sisters sister. Now out of all the daughters that remain is my Mother. She has and always will be in my prayers.
Thank you so my Aunt Tess, Love , Timothy
Timothy, you, your mother and all your family are in our prayers and we share your loss. Sister Marilda Joseph was a true vessel of God’s love for countless others. We are all blessed to have known her.
Timothy, that’s so beautiful. But what a wonderful sign for us all that Sister has been taken up to be in Heaven for the birthday of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who obviously and most personally, it seems, was permitted by God to have blueprinted the vocation of Sr. Marilda. What a GLORIOUS corner of heaven it must be where all the New York Sisters and all the New York foundlings bask together in the light of the Face of God ! And WHAT a blessing I’m sure you continue to be for your mom !!! It certainly seems that from God’s Mouth to Sister’s ear went the message of who belongs to whom in this world through the love of “my sweet Lord” (as George Harrison so eloquently and melodiously phrased it) How HAPPY is heaven this day and the court of our own Saint Elizabeth Ann within the Kingdom to have warmed received home this beautiful soul And how much more wretched is our state with her absence among us……………Such a beautiful life bringing so much beauty and grace into the lives of the very least. Today, the very sun itself seems warmed by the thoughts and reflections on the life of Sr. Marilda Joseph.
I HELEN JEFFRIES MURPHY WAS FROM THE FOUNDLING AS MY YOUNGER YEARS, I WAS TAKEN IN BY A LOVELY MOTHER MRS. MARY JANE MURPHY, WHICH SHE CARED FOR ME AND PROVIDED AS WELL.
I REMEMBER ALL THE BAZAARS AND FLEA MARKETS WE ALLATTENDED. IWILL MISS SR. MARILDA JOSEPH BECAUSE SHE WATCHED ME GROW UP AS I WAS WITH MOM MURPHY. WHO PASSED ON IN OCTOBER 19TH 1970 MAY ALL THE SRS AND SR. MARILDA JOSEPH AND SECURITY WHO KNEW ME AS A CHILD MAY THEY ALL BE WELL AND REST IN PEACE.
I will always remember sister Marilda Joseph.she is one of the first nuns I met when I entered the doors of the foundling to perform my duties caring for the children under her supervision.sister showed caring,love and the affection which we all needed to grow.sister was never to busy to give me some of her time.she had a special bond with everyone.r.i.p sister it has been a job well done.
I owe this woman my life. i was born without arms and legs and my parents instantly gave me up for adoption. so for the first 3 years of my life she took care of me like I was her son, and found the family that adopted me. My new family made her my godmother and we saw each other once a year until I was about 18. I miss her now more than ever and I will never forget everything she tried to tell me. Rest will Marilda, I love you and will see you again.
Thank you for sharing your moving story. We are so happy to know that Sr. Marilda lives on in your heart. Blessings to you.
I worked for the FDNY. I was doing research of the members from my firehouse who died in the line of duty who never had a plaque dedication in their name. One of the names was a William Aeillo who died on the east side of Manhattan fighting a fire when a wall collapsed on him and another fellow fireman. My research found he had a daughter still alive. Sister Marilda Joseph. It was sometime in the 1990s. I picked her up at the foundling and took her to our firehouse for a Mass, dedication and lunch. Her dad died in 1923 leaving her mom and siblings in poverty. I’m sure God used this unfortunate tragedy to inspire Sister to dedicate her life to children. An incredible coincidence was that they came from the same area of Astoria were I was raised. Sister Marilda it was a joy finding and speaking with you. I’m sure your with Dad now. Rest In the Peace of Christ. Bob S.
Thank you for sharing your story—a great one indeed!