Mary Kevin Palazzetti, SSJ, 85, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on December 11, 2021. She was born on December 5, 1936, in Bradford, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Alva Lakey and Anna Palazzetti.
Sister Mary Kevin graduated from Saint Bernard High School in 1955 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph that same year. She continued her education and received a BS degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College, Erie, in 1968. She taught at several Erie diocesan elementary schools, including St. John, St. Ann, Blessed Sacrament, St. Patrick, and Our Lady of Peace in Erie. She also ministered as a housemother at Harborcreek Training School and St. Joseph Home for Children and served as the Director of St. Martin Center.
Sister Mary Kevin died during the 67th year of her religious life. Reflecting on the occasion of her 60th Jubilee in 2015, she shared: “I am inspired by this quote from our SSJ Constitutions: ‘The Sister of St. Joseph goes as far as she is able.’ I have tried to practice this throughout my life.” Her prayer life was of utmost importance to her. In her words, “Prayer is a constant recurring conversation with God and one of the true gifts of God.”
Her natural talent for cooking prompted a career in private catering and managing the cafeterias at Villa Maria Elementary School and Villa Maria Academy. Throughout Erie, she became known as “Sister Cookie” for her baking talent, especially her cookies. Sister Mary Kevin also enjoyed a love of golf and spending time on the links during her lifetime.
Sister Mary Kevin was preceded in death by her parents, Alva Lakey and Anna Palazzetti. She is survived by the families of Duane and Diana Golley, Brian and Annie Golley, Christina Golley, Joe and Diane Lamberson, many cousins, friends, and dear friend, Sister Ann Stephanie Stano, SSJ. She is also survived by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. on the Sisters of St. Joseph Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SSJErie/ and the SSJ Erie YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/SSJErie/live. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA, 16506-1249, or online at www.ssjerie.org. The Kloecker Funeral Home, Erie, is handling arrangements.
4 Comments on “We remember . . . Mary Kevin Palazzetti, SSJ”
“Kevin” was one of my favorite persons, one who could always be making others happy by her wonderful sense of humor and her talent to entertain with the very best food and drink! ‘Can never forget our years together. Jane Kirk
Sr. Mary Kevin was a terrific spirit and kind to all she met. I will always picture her taking care of generations of Villa students along with her friend, Mrs. Tauber. She knew three generations of my family and we were all blessed to have her in our lives. Rest in peace.
I am so sorry to read this sad news. I had the pleasure of working with Sister. She had a great sense of humor! I’m sorry you lost your friend Sister Ann Stephanie.
Kevin was a joy to be with at all times. She joyfully catered our Villa Maria Academy
Alumnae Fall Dinners. She is at Peace in heaven.