May 1, 1941 — February 1, 2026
Sister Mary Agnesita Deren, the former Sofia Deren, completed her journey to the Kingdom of God early Sunday morning, February 1, 2026. She was 84 years old and had been a beloved member of the Felician Congregation for 67 years.
Sofia, the daughter of Anna Mach and Ludwig Deren, was born on May 1, 1941, in Poland. She, her brother Michael, and her sisters Stella and Krystyna grew up in Poland but emigrated to the United States of America in May of 1957.
Sofia commenced her elementary education in Podstawowa, Poland, and completed it at Saint Casimir School in Newark, New Jersey, in 1958. She received a high school Equivalent Certificate from the State of New Jersey in 1970.
Sofia entered the Felician community on July 2, 1958. After a year of postulancy, she was invested in the Franciscan habit on August 2, 1959. She professed her first vows on August 3, 1960, and her final vows on August 3, 1966.
Sister Agnesita taught in many schools staffed by the Felician Sisters and located in New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. She taught grades one through six, but most of her experience was in grades two through four, where she excelled in the teaching of reading.
On March 11, 1963, Sister Agnesita became a naturalized American citizen in a special ceremony at the US District Court in Newark, New Jersey.
In 1971, Felician College awarded Sister Mary Agnesita a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She also earned a New Jersey teacher certification at the same time. Other academic achievements included a Certificate in Handwriting Analysis after she completed a special program at Felician College.
In 1972, the Kosciuszko Foundation granted Sister Agnesita a summer course in Polish language and culture in Poland. This gave her an opportunity to travel to the land of her birth and to deepen her knowledge of her Polish heritage, which she loved so much.
From 1994 through 2000, Sister Agnesita did pastoral work in Saint Michael’s Hospital in Newark, NJ. She was also a patient advocate.
In 2000, Sister came to live at Immaculate Conception Convent in Lodi, New Jersey, where she taught in the Reading Center and served as an ESL Teacher, receptionist, and chauffeur. She cherished the opportunity of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the provincial chapel and often volunteered for adorations. As busy as she was with teaching and ministering in other ways, she always realized that her spiritual life was her priority.
Through the years, Sister Agnesita received many certificates of recognition, including Exemplary Care at Saint Michael’s Hospital, National Excellence in the Ministry to the Bereaved, and completion of the American Heart Association CPR Course, etc.
In the final years of her life, she transitioned from the active ministry to the ministry of prayer and presence. She witnessed some monumental changes in her convent living, such as the merging of the local homes of the infirmary and motherhouse. She surrendered to these changes and to the changes in her physical health.
At the beginning of 2026, Sister spent several weeks in hospice care. Sisters came to visit her and pray with her. After midnight on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Sister Mary Agnesita quietly went to join her Spouse and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sister Agnesita is survived by her Felician family, her sisters Stella Gartland of Cloverdale, Virginia, and Krystina Fresco of Union, New Jersey, as well as by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews in both Poland and America.
Evening prayer for the Dead for Sister Mary Agnesita was held Sunday, February 8, at 6:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel. The Mass of Resurrection took place the following day, Monday, February 9, at 11:00 a.m. The celebrant and homilist was the Rev. John P.
O’Neill, I.V.D., Ph.D., Professor of Religious Studies, Felician University. Interment followed in Immaculate Conception Cemetery.
