sister stories

Sister Ann Patrice Murnock, SSJ, is a native of St. Michael Parish in Forest City, PA. She graduated from Forest City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Villa Maria College in Erie, PA. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1953, made her first profession in 1955, and final profession…

Sister Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. Her family moved to Erie, where she graduated from Villa Maria Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie and earned certifications in school administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and library science from Penn State Erie…

Sister Ricarda Vincent, SSJ, is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Strong Vincent High School in1949 and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1952 from her home parish, St. Andrew’s, in Erie. She made her final profession in 1958. Sister Ricarda earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College…

Sr. Lucille DeStefano, SSJ, was born in Ridgway, PA to the late Michael and Helen Delpozzo DeStefano.  As a young girl, she was greatly influenced by the Sisters of St. Joseph as she observed their good works for members of the community in her home parish of St. Leo’s in Ridgway. “I know it was…

Sister Mary Carol Hoke, SSJ, was born in Meadville, PA, to Arthur Charles and Marion Josephine Chalot Hoke. Following high school, she worked as a secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways for more than four years. She attended mass and received communion daily and believes it was during that time that she heard the…

Sister Maria Onuffer, SSJ, was born in Lewis Run, PA, to John and Anna Hvizdak Onuffer. After graduating from  St. Bernard High School in Bradford with the highest commercial honors, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business education from Villa Maria College, Erie. She received her Professional State Licensure in Nursing Home Administration from the…

Sister Barbara Ann Zakutney, SSJ, was born in Houtzdale, PA, to Stephen and Elizabeth Susko Zakutney.  After completing high school, she graduated from Villa Maria College, Erie, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also studied at the University of Dayton and Edinboro University.  She heard the call to religious life through prayer and…

Sister Michele Healy, SSJ, was born in Ridgway, PA, to Clair and Lulu Margaret McDonald Healy. Following high school, she received a bachelor’s degree in education from Villa Maria College, a master’s in theology from St. Bonaventure University, and a master’s in sacred Scripture from St. Michael College in Winooski, VT.  She also studied at…

Sister Moira Sullivan, SSJ, was born in Johnsonburg, PA, to William H. and Elsie Penfield Sullivan. After completing high school, she attended Villa Maria College in Erie and earned a BS in English. While there and after initially resisting the call to a religious vocation, she realized her gifts could best be utilized as a…

Sister Claudia Dombrowski, SSJ, was born in Erie, PA, to the late Harry and Joan (Bronakowski).  She graduated from Villa Maria College, where she earned a BS in elementary education.  She later earned an MEd from Xavier University in Cincinnati and did additional studies at Edinboro University and Boston College being certified in both Elementary…