September 21, 1945 — February 21, 2025
Joanne Kaminski was born on September 21, 1945, in Rockville, Connecticut, to Mary Zubrowski Kaminski and Andrew Kaminski. She was baptized on October 21, 1945, at St. Joseph Church, Rockville, CT. She received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist on May 2, 1954, and the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 15, 1955.
Joanne was the third of four children. Charlotte (Dobrowski) and John were older siblings and Christine (Gochee) was younger. She loved her parents and described them as “humble, hard workers and prayerful.” She liked to say that they were born in the United States but met and married in Poland.
Sister wrote that the first signs of her call to religious life were “in the sixth grade. The Felician sisters taught me in St. Joseph School, kindergarten to 8th grade. I wanted to be ‘like them’.”
After graduating from the eighth grade in 1959, Joanne entered the aspirancy in Enfield. She graduated in 1963 and on August 2, 1963, she entered the postulancy at Our Lady of the Angels Convent. She received her white veil and entered Novitiate in 1964. Her First Profession of Vows was in 1965. Her final Profession was in 1971. Sister made her Tertianship in 1980 and had a framed picture of that experience in her office and personal space.
Sister Joanne Marian was a teacher for 19 years, worked in the finance office for 27 years and served as a sacristan for 12 years.
As an elementary-level teacher, she taught mainly in the middle grades and religion in junior high. Sister Joanne Marian served at parishes in Kingston, NY 78-79; Webster, MA 79- 82; Rockville, CT 82-85; Adams, MA 85-89; and Staten Island, NY 89-92.
Sister served as local minister in Adams, MA at St. Stanislaus Convent.
Sister earned her associate degree from OLA Junior College, a Bachelor of Science degree from District of Catholic Teachers College in Washington, D.C., and a master’s degree from Notre Dame University in Indiana.
Sister Joanne Marian served in the finance office as a liaison for the provincial treasurer. She was also the Local Treasurer for Holy Family Infirmary and Felician Adult Day Care from 1992 to 1997.
From September 2010 to April 2012, Sister was Treasurer General in Rome, Italy, and lived in the Generalate.
Upon her return to Enfield in 2012, Sister began the ministry as Convent Sacristan until July 2024, when she relinquished it due to health challenges.
Sister Joanne Marian Kaminski celebrated her 50th Jubilee in 2013. Her thoughts at this time reflected her deep love for her family, friends, and Felician Community. Prayer experiences brought her great joy. “Among many significant memories of my life as a Felician is my establishment of the Cenacle here in Enfield, a weekly Holy Hour of the Marian Movement of Priests… started by Fr. Stefano Gobbi in 1972. For nearly 17 years, a group of Sisters and lay people met on Monday evenings for an hour of prayer for priests, the Holy Father and the Church.”
She continued, “My ministry of witness and prayer compliments my other ministries of service with the community.”
In 2023, we celebrated Sister Joanne’s 60th Jubilee. At the time, she was very ill and a patient at Evergreen Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Stafford, CT. The sisters and staff were extremely pleased that she was permitted to be present for the Jubilee Mass. Sadly, she was not well enough to stay for the entire celebration and returned to Evergreen during the meal.
After Sr. Joanne Marian’s return to OLA Convent from rehab, her spirits and zest for life returned. She wanted to be as independent as she could be. She continued to suffer many health challenges. In February of 2025, Sister began to receive hospice care at the convent.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was administered by convent chaplain, Fr. Andrew Santamauro, OFM, Conv., on February 8, 2025, shortly before the Feast of OL of Lourdes. How appropriate since her chosen confirmation name was Bernadette. Sister was asked if she would like to have sisters and friends present. She smiled and greeted everyone. Numerous sisters and two members of the nursing team were present. The memory of that evening is held in our hearts with deep gratitude.
Sister was playful and serious, but she was also very conscientious and precise. Her handwriting was beautiful, and she used Post-its for everything.
Her love for people led her to want to be helpful. Sister found joy in serving and asked to add helping the priests to her sacristan ministry. Sister Joanne liked meeting people. She met people everywhere and could easily engage them in conversation.
Sister arranged reunions for the 1963 graduating class of Our Lady of the Angels Academy at the convent and kept in touch with classmates. She printed copies of the homilies given by our chaplains and distributed them daily to the sisters. For many years, she provided the sisters with DVDs for the weekly Sunday evening movies in the community room. She enjoyed visiting and camping with her family. Sister Joanne knew how to play numerous card games and enjoyed game shows on TV.
Sister Joanne Marian entered eternal rest on Friday, February 21, 2025, in her room amidst the many photos of her full life as a member of the Kaminski and Gochee families and the Felician Community. She gently took her last breath and completed the prayer vigil that was held for her for the past 24 hours.
Visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 25th, was followed by a Transitus Service— The Commemoration of the Passing of our Sister Joanne—Wake Service and Evening Praise.
A second Visitation preceded the Mass of the Resurrection, celebrated on February 25, 2025, in the chapel at Our Lady of the Angels Convent with Fr. Paul Miskiewicz, OFM, Conv. presiding. The burial service was held at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery, recently renamed St. Jeanne Jugan Cemetery in Enfield, CT, and followed by a dinner at the convent.
