“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.”

Sr-Jude-Watson2Click to view eulogy delivered by Ms. Josephine Tortorella, Assistant Principal, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Staten Island »

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