Sister Joan Coffey papers, 1978 - 2020

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Record Group: This collection contains records from all the sisters who make up the DSOH. It includes their personal papers, publications, artistic work, photographs, diplomas, ministry history etc. The Dominican Sisters of Hope were founded in 1995. The group includes members of the former Newburgh Domincan, Fall River Dominican and Ossining Dominican Communities. The sisters work and minister in various ways including community organizing, social work, education, environmental advocacy, and retreat ministry.

Dates

1978 - 2020

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted

Biographical / Historical

Sister Joan was born Joan Coffey on March 20, 1929 in New Rochelle, NY. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on September 8, 1947 and received the habit on June 23, 1948 when she was given the religious name, Sister James Cecilia. (She began using the name, Sister Joan after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 25, 1949 and final vows on August 22, 1952. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Casa San Jose, in Newburgh, NY, 1949-1951; Bishop Dunn Memorial, Newburgh, NY, 1951-1954; and Pope Pius XII Regional High School, Passaic, NJ, 1954-1960. Sister served as principal of Academia San Jose, Villa Caparra, PR, 1960-1961 and Sts. John & Paul School, Larchmont, NY, 1961-1966. Sister Joan taught at Mt St Mary College in Newburgh, NY, 1966-1970, and was Director of Personnel for the Dominican Sisters, Newburgh, NY, 1970-1971. She served in congregation administration, 1971-1979, and was Congregation Formation Coordinator, 1980-1983 .Sister also served as: guidance counselor at Paramus Catholic High School, Paramus, NJ, 1983-1986; Director of Continuing Education, Caldwell College, Caldwell, NJ, 1986-1988; Academic Counselor, College of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station, NJ, 1987-1997. She worked as assistant to the librarian at the Madison Public Library in Madison, NJ,(1998-200) and also as assistant to the archivist for the Sisters of Charity, Convent Station, NJ. Sister Joan earned her BA in French from Villanova University, her MA in French from McGill University, and her MTh in Religious Studies from Drew Theological School in New Jersey. She died April 11, 2020.