SISTER JOANN BOYLE, SC (formerly Sister M. Jonathan) 88, entered eternal life on September 7, 2022 at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, in the 69th year of her religious life.
A Pittsburgh native, Sister Joann entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill on September 8, 1953, from Saint Kieran Parish, Lawrenceville. Preceded in death by her parents, Joseph R. and Alice M. (Sheehan) Boyle, a brother, William C., three sisters, Kathleen Boyle O’Hare, Sister Mary Elizabeth Boyle, SC, and Loretta Boyle Bice. She is survived by a nephew, a niece, cousins and her religious congregation.
Sister Joann earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Seton Hill University, a master’s degree in Education, Reading Specialist, from the University of Pittsburgh, and was certified as a Nursing Assistant in the state of Florida.
Sister Joann taught students of the primary, intermediate, and middle school levels in schools of the Columbus, Greensburg, Lafayette, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Pittsburgh dioceses for 25 years. A noteworthy teaching experience for her was the 6 years in New Orleans continuing the collaboration between the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of the Holy Family that endured across distance and racial divide.
After spending time caring for her mother through a lengthy illness, she became certified as a Nursing Assistant. She ministered to frail and elderly citizens under the auspices of VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly) in Lakeland, FL, providing in-home health care for 27 years. During her last year at VISTE, she served on the Board of Directors. Sister Joann retired in 2016 to the Motherhouse in Greensburg.
At the time of her Golden Jubilee in 2003, Sister Joann reflected on her life as a Sister of Charity: “I understand how life can be ‘but a blink of the eye,’ for that is what the past 50 years have seemed to be. There has been a lot of living and I sincerely hope and pray for a lot of giving on my part. I thank God with all of my heart for my family, vocation, and friends.” Rest in peace Sister Joann as you join with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and all the Company of Charity.
The funeral liturgy will be live-streamed; access through the link: https://venue.streamspot.com/2af9e1eb
