“The children and their parents found her to be an understanding and kind teacher, devoted to helping them learn and always strive to do their best.”
Sister Mary Jude Watson (Ruth) was born on March 30, 1915 in Manhattan, one of four daughters of James and Margaret Quinn Watson. Ruth attended Saint Joseph Hall School and Mercy Commercial High School in Brooklyn, and worked for two years before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1934. Sister Jude received a BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and later earned NYS Certification in Elementary Education.
Sister Jude’s entire ministry was in primary education. She was first missioned to Saint Augustine School in the Bronx and then to Immaculate Conception School on Staten Island. Sister taught in Saint John Evangelist School and Blessed Sacrament School, both in Manhattan. From there Sister Jude was missioned to Saint Mary School in Yonkers, and then Saint Mary of the Snows School in Saugerties. She returned to Manhattan to teach at Holy Name School followed by Our Lady of Good Counsel School.
In 1967, Sister Jude returned to Staten Island where she would minister for the next thirty-six years. She spent twenty-one years teaching at Our Lady Star of the Sea School, and fifteen more years in volunteer services there. Sister Jude’s retirement was recorded by headlines in the Staten Island Advance, “A Nun Retires, An Era Passes – Sister Mary Jude Watson closes a 70 year teaching career, the last 36 years at Our Lady Star of the Sea.” A teacher quoted in the article said, “Sister Jude’s depth of charity reached beyond the school and walls of the church. She brought love, meals and hope to residents of the now dismantled colony in Annadale known as Spanish Camp. And she got kids to save their left over food for the dozens of stray dogs she fed.” In 2003, Sister Jude moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent where she lived until going to the Convent of Mary the Queen in 2009. In 2014, Sister Jude was among the first sisters to move to Kittay House in the Bronx.
Sister Jude loved her ministry in elementary education. The children and their parents found her to be an understanding and kind teacher, devoted to helping them learn and always strive to do their best. Sister loved long walks and the beauty of God’s creation and all animals, especially dogs. She is warmly remembered for her compassionate and sensitive nature; she always reflected the joy and enthusiasm of her God whom she served faithfully as a Sister of Charity for so many years. Enjoy the eternal peace and presence of our loving God, Sister Jude.
DATE OF DEATH
February 3, 2015
Age
99
WAKE
Convent of Mary the Queen
35 Vark Street, Yonkers, NY 10701
Tues, February 10, 2015, 1:5 pm
4:15 pm Prayer Service
Our Lady Star of the Sea
5371 Amboy Rd.
Staten Island, NY 10312
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
10–10:45 am
FUNERAL MASS
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
11:00 am
BURIAL
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Ministries
- Immaculate Conception, Staten Island
1940–1941, Teacher - Our Lady Star of the Sea, Staten Island
1967–1988, Teacher - Our Lady Star of the Sea, Staten Island
1988–2003, Volunteer Services - St. John Evangelist, Manhattan
1941–1946, Teacher - Blessed Sacrament, Manhattan
1946–1950, Teacher - Holy Name, Manhattan
1959–1965, Teacher - Our Lady of Good Counsel, Manhattan
1965–1967, Teacher - Our Lady of Snow
1956–1959, Teacher - St. Mary, Yonkers
1950–1956, Teacher - St. Augustine, Bronx
1936–1940, Teacher
To know her was to love her.
Rest in God’s loving embrace as you reunite with all your loyal, tail-wagging friends on the “Rainbow Bridge”
It was pure joy and a privilege to be in her company. I know our loving Blessed Mother was there to greet her when she was called home. Rest in peace dear Sister.
I was blessed to be able to work with her at OLSS. I drove her to work every day. She truly inspired me with her wisdom.
EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT ANGELS AMONG US. SISTER JUDE TAUGHT OUR DAUGHTER STEPHANIE IN THE SECOND GRADE AT O.L.S.S IN STATEN ISLAND. MY FIRST AND LASTING IMPRESSION WAS WHAT A PERFECT SECOND IGRADE OR ANY GRADE TEACHER ANY CHILD COULD HAVE. I REMEMBER STEPHANIE ASKING MY WIFE FOR FOOD FOR THE DOGS THEY USED TO FEED FROM THE CLASSROOM AND MANY OTHER LASTING IMPRESSIONS WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OF A KIND AND SWEET PERSON. I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG US, INCLUDING THE ONE I HAPPENED TO MARRY AND MAYBE ONE OR TWO WE MAY CROSS PATHS WITH DURING OUR LIVES IF WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH. SISTER JUDE LIFTED UP OUR HEARTS AND HER LIGHT STILL SHINES EXCEPT NOW THE LIGHT SHE SEES COMES FROM THE FACE OF GOD. PEACE BE WITH YOU WE ARE BETTER PEOPLE FOR HAVING KNOWN YOU. MR. & MRS, STEVEN GIORGIO. STEPHANIE ANNE GIORGIO AND ROBERT ANDREW GIORGIO.
My mother Jacqueline Sol worked as the cook for the sisters at St. Joseph by the Sea over thirty years ago. She had nothing but wonder things to say about Sister Jude. Sister Jude was a very loving and caring person. She take food from the kitchen to feed the stray dogs and cats in the area. She walked to Our Lady Star of the Sea School from her convent every school day. My mother says she was the sweetest person with a heart of gold, talking to the neighbors as she walked to school. Everyone who knew Sister Jude loved her. God Bless her.
Sister Jude was as caring person as any human being would be lucky enough to meet. I attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School and although I was not lucky enough to have her as a teacher, I was lucky enough to know her. She lived what she spoke of. She walked to school every day for the whole time 9 years k – 8th grade that I was there. She always took the time to speak with students and parents alike. Everyone she met along her travels was touched by an angel on Earth. Now she is among the angels in Heaven. She is in God’s hands now and will be sorely missed here.
Sisteer Jude was my 1st grade teacher at St. John the Evangelist School. We became good friends after I left that school in 3rd grade and attended St. Lawrence Academy. We visited her when she taught at Blessed Sacrament. She was a very caring teacher and was always so interested in all her pupils. I have fond memories of her after all these years.
Still remember her little shoes she would change at the start of class. She was too cute!
True angel on earth!!!! The most kind loving person I have ever known!!!! Was my second grade teacher and still remember it like it was yesterday. I know I am a better person today just from knowing her her she touched my life in a very special way !!!!!