Sr. Monica Ste-Marie, a beloved member of the Ursuline Community, died peacefully March 7 at Andrus on Hudson, NY. The former Marguerite Gladys Ste-Marie was born to Rosalba Laroche and Alphonse Ste-Marie in Malone, NY in 1917. She entered the Ursulines in 1934, shortly after graduating from St Joseph’s Academy in Malone. Sr. Monica celebrated 80 years as an Ursuline in 2017.
Sr. Monica earned a B.S. in Education/English from Catholic University and Fordham University, and an M.A in Religious Studies from Providence College. She also did post-graduate work at SUNY Potsdam, Villanova University and Boston College.
Sr. Monica’s ministry as a teacher of elementary and secondary school began in 1937 at St. Patrick’s School, Washington, DC, and concluded half a century later at Notre Dame School, Malone, NY. In between she taught in the Bronx at Our lady of Mercy, St Philip Neri, St. Angela’s, and St Jerome’s; in Malone at St Joseph’s and Notre Dame; at St. Michael’s, Overlea, MD; Ursuline Academy High School, Wilmington, DE, and English in North Country Community College and in Puebla, Mexico, Sr. Monica also devoted many years to prison ministries, including the New York State and Delaware Prison Systems. In addition, she helped to administer the Ursuline Marian Residence in New Rochelle, St. Joseph’s School and St. George’s Parish in Malone, and the Beacon (NY) Retreat Center. Sister is survived by her loving Ursuline Community and several nephews and nieces.
Visitation will be Monday, March 11 at the Ursuline Providence Center Chapel, 1338 North Ave. New Rochelle NY 10804 at 3pm followed by a Funeral Mass at 4:30pm. Donations in Sr. Monica’s name may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund at the North Ave. address.