Sister Maria Bernadette Lunney (Mary T.), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, Mass. on February 2, 2017. A native of Worcester, Mass., she was the daughter of John and Anna (Fay) Lunney.
Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Bernard Parish, Worcester in 1941. She graduated from Commerce High School, Worcester. She earned an A.B. degree from The College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and did graduate study in mathematics at the University of Maryland, Western Illinois University, and the State University of New York at Oneonta. Sister also earned certification in Clinical Pastoral Education and as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
She ministered in the Diocese of Springfield as a teacher in Springfield at Cathedral Grammar School, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Our Lady of Hope School and Cathedral High School; in Holyoke at Blessed Sacrament School, and Sacred Heart Elementary School and in Pittsfield at St. Mary of the Morning Star School. From 1971 to 1981 Sister served in missions in Kenya, East Africa. She also served as pastoral minister in St. Teresa and in St. Thomas Parishes in Providence, RI and St. Mary Parish, Cashton, WI. From 1989 to 2000 Sister ministered to the Sisters at St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie. She retired in 2000.
In addition to her Sisters in Community she is survived by several cousins and their families.
Please note: Because of the poor weather predictions for February 9, the funeral forSr. Maria Bernadette Lunney has been postponed until Friday, February 10.
All services for Sr. Maria Bernadette will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie on February 9, 2017. At her request there will be no wake, but family and friends are invited to gather at 10:30 a.m. in preparation for the Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.