Sister Jean Merrell papers, 1919 - 2018

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 3

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

1919 - 2018

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted Access. Users have unrestricted access to documents unless stated otherwise.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Jean Merrell was born Jean Merrell on February 27, 1930 in Jersey City, NJ. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on September 8, 1951 and received the habit on June 16, 1952 when she was given the religious name, Sister Mary Judith. (She began using the name, Sister Jean after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 17, 1953 and final vows on August 21, 1956. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: St Joseph, Toms River, NJ, and Assumption, Fairfield, CT, 1960-1962. She taught English at the secondary level at: Academia San Jose, San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, 1962-1964; Immaculate High School, Danbury, CT,1964-1966; Gloucester Catholic , Gloucester, NJ, 1966-1970; and St Joseph, Toms River, NJ, 1970-197. Sister Jean worked for MESA Department of Interior; first as Secretary to Chief of ADP; then as an Editorial Assistant, 1974-1976; and then was Management Analyst for the same department. She was a Program Analyst and Program Specialist for the MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) Department of Labor in Arlington, Virginia, 1979-1999. Sister remained in Arlington until 2005, when she moved to Newburgh, NY and spent two years there before relocating to Mantua, NJ, where she did volunteer service. Sister Jean earned a BS in Elementary Education from Villanova University and MFA in Speech and Drama from Catholic University of America. She died January 3, 2018.