“Sister Maureen is a gifted teacher and administrator of considerable skills, known for her extraordinary energy, deep devotion to the children and parents of Incarnation, and her keen sense of humor. ” (Incarnation Parish)
Sister Maureen Dunn (Sister Marita Michael) was born on August 14, 1942 in Manhattan. She and her brother, Michael, were the only children of Edward and Constance Boland Dunn. Maureen attended Saint Frances of Rome School and Saint Barnabas HS before entering the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1960. She received a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in Reading Specialization, and an MS in Gerontology.
While a second year novice, Sister Michael was diagnosed with a large, inoperable and malignant brain tumor and was given nine months to live. Despite her illness and grim diagnosis, she remained in the Novitiate and pronounced first vows in March 1963. The Congregation prayed to Mother Seton for a miracle and, one year later Sister Michael was still alive, defying all medical explanation.
Sister Maureen began ministry as a secretary at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan, and the following September began her long career in elementary education. She taught at Incarnation School, Manhattan, for seven years and subsequently served as Assistant Administrator and Elementary Coordinator for four years. She then taught at Saint Joseph, Yonkers, and Lincoln Hall, in Lincolndale, NY, before returning to Incarnation School for an eight-year term as Principal. For three years Sister Maureen worked at the Sisters of Charity Center as Mission Effectiveness Coordinator. She then became the Administrator of Saint Peter School, Yonkers, where she served for five years. After leaving education, Sister Maureen volunteered her time and talents at the Convent of Mary the Queen. She enjoyed working with older Sisters, and they looked forward to her visits and the activities she would plan. In 2003, Sister Maureen was presented with an award from Incarnation Parish and it was written of her, “Sister Maureen is a gifted teacher and administrator of considerable skills, known for her extraordinary energy, deep devotion to the children and parents of Incarnation, and her keen sense of humor.” Sister Maureen later became a resident at the Convent of Mary the Queen where she lived until 2015 and then moved to Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry.
Sister Maureen will be remembered for her compassion and dedication, her love of life, her kindness and—most definitely—her wonderful sense of humor. We rejoice with her as she is welcomed home by the God whom she loved and served so well.
Rest in eternal peace, Sister Maureen.
Date of Death
February 8, 2016
Age
73
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, NY 10471
Friday, February 12, 2016
2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Prayer Service at 4:30 p.m.
Mass of Resurrection
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
Saturday, February 13, 2016
10:00 a.m.
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan
1963–1964, Secretary - Incarnation School, Manhattan
1964–71, Teacher, Gr. 1 - Incarnation School, Manhattan
1971–75, Asst. Admin., Coordinator Gr. 1–5 - Incarnation School, Manhattan
1979–87, Principal - St. Joseph School, Yonkers
1975–76, Teacher, Reading - Lincoln Hall, Lincolndale, NY
1976–79, Teacher, Remedial Reading - Sisters of Charity Center, Bronx
1987–90, Mission Effectiveness Coordinator - St. Peter School, Yonkers
1990–95, Administrator - Convent of Mary the Queen
1995–2010, Volunteer
I worked at Incarnation from 1970 until 1973. I have only happy memories of working with Sister Maureen who always was most
helpful, sincere, compassionate and so humorous. These were truly some of the best years of my teaching career.
I was blessed to visit with Maureen these past few years with one of her 4th grade students, Mary Kelleher, who Sister comforted
and supported when her mother died.
Even with her health problems, Sister still joked with us and always welcomed us with a beautiful smile.
It was a privilege and honor to know her and to now have her as our heavenly advocate.
I have only fond memories of Sr. Maureen. As a second grader in Incarnation my mom was diagnosed with Lupus like disease. We were all devastated. Mom would be exhausted from the medications and would bring us in late. Her compassion during this time was invaluable. I remember her counseling my mom and three girls filled with fear of losing their mom.She would hug us and take us to her office and even feed us.So sorry for this great loss. Always in our hearts.
Thank you for sharing your memories.
Will remember her always! Incarnation graduate 1976. may she rest in peace!
May she rest in peace. 1976 graduate
Rest in peace Sister Maureen, you were a tough cookie.
Alba De La Cruz – class of 73
Your life made a difference in mine… RIP.
May she rest in peace. I have some nice memories of her and Incarnation. Class of 75
May she rest in peace. GOD bless her.
Back in the early 70’s my sister and I were trudging through the snow on Audubon avenue on our way to Incarnation school. Suddenly a car stops next to us and Sister Maureen offers us a ride.
I’ve never forgotten that after all these years and despite us being so young at the time.
God bless you Sister Maureen!
Henry Vargas, class of 76.
Left Incarnation in ’77. Remember Sister fondly. May she rest in peace.
May she rest in Peace….Class of 1983
Sister Maureen — was a great person. May God bless her. 1989 graduate
I have many fond memories of Sister Maureen. May she rest in peace.
She was my first grade teacher. I was a handful. She always put me in my place. Class of 1977. RIP
It was so great to see her at a reunion a few years back. I sat at her table with Msgr. Leonard and others and just shot the breeze. She recalled a very funny incident (I was a miscreant!) from 40 years before. God bless her soul.
I still think of sister Maureen – she was strict and kind – Rest in peace
Class of 75 Eleanor Polanco Fernandez
I am saddened by this loss. I attended Incarnation for 3 years and have memories of playing in the street before the bell rang and seeing her come out and ring the bell. Rest in peace Sister Maureen.
Class of 1972…Yvette Seda
R.I.P Sister Maureen, you were my elementary school principal when St. Peters was one of the top elementary schools because of YOU. You really set the standards high. Thank you for your service and seriousness. The Lord has another Angel by His side.
I have many fond memories of Sr. Maureen at St Peters school where she was Principal. Rest in peace Sr. Maureen, so blessed to have had you in my life, you will be greatly missed by all.
Friends and former students of Sr. Maureen might enjoy reading the eulogy, which was written by Sr. Jane Iannucelli.
https://www.scny.org/wp-content/uploads//2016/02/Eulogy-Sr-Maureen-Dunn.pdf