- Date Of Birth: October 5, 1931
- Date Of Death: November 11, 2021
- State: Connecticut
WEST HARTFORD- Sister Marita Soucy (Muriel Marie Soucy), a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, West Hartford, CT, died at Monsignor Bojnowski Manor in New Britain on November 11. Born in Hartford, CT, on October 5, 1931, of the late Clifford Soucy and Blanche Morency Soucy, Sister Marita entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1949. She celebrated her Perpetual Profession of Vows on August 24, 1955. At the time of her death, Sister Marita was 90 years of age and in her 72nd year of Religious Life.Sister Marita earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT, a Master’s Degree in French from Assumption College, Worcester, MA, and Certification in Elementary School Administration from Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT. During her years of elementary school teaching and principalships in the Archdiocesan Schools of Hartford and the Bridgeport Diocese, she found time to spend her summers in Appalachia teaching Bible School in Kentucky. Along with three other Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister helped establish a Day Care Center in the Kentucky hills for local children. Sister Marita eventually gave in to her adventurous nature and in 1986 moved to Alaska where, with several other Sisters of St. Joseph, she established a ministry in Fairbanks, AK. She first taught and then assumed a principalship at Immaculate Conception School in Fairbanks. Later, Sister took a position at the Chancery of Fairbanks, where she ably inaugurated the Stephen Ministry Program of the Diocese of Fairbanks and was the founding board member of the Urban Samaritan Center. Both programs served the poor. Never one to refuse a challenge, Sister Marita accepted an invitation from Fairbank’s Bishop Michael J. Kaniecki, SJ, to work in the field of pastoral ministry, attending to the elderly, the dying, and the imprisoned. Eventually, a long-desired dream materialized as Sister moved to Galena, AK, to work with the Koyukon Athabaskan Indian community. She served as co-director of the Kateri Tekakwitha Center, the first of its kind along the Yukon River. There Sister worked tirelessly and lovingly within the villages along the river, providing Stephen Ministry Outreach, adult Scripture classes, and retreat work. On returning to Fairbanks, AK, Sister inaugurated the Office of Urban Native Ministry of the Fairbanks Diocese.Sister Marita also had the joy of creating the Lay Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph. To this day, CSJ Associates continue to work for the poor even though our Sisters no longer minister in the state of Alaska. After twenty-four years, Sister Marita left her beloved mission, but the people have not forgotten her years of dedication. Sister Marita, fortunately, was able to visit and re-connect with the people on her yearly visit to her sister, Claire, who resides in Fairbanks. Upon her return to CT, she never retired. Sister Marita loved family, friends, and her Sisters in Community without distinction, evidenced by her cheerful disposition, loving greeting, and happy smile. Even these last years, as physical diminishment and the aging process set in, Sister lived the present moment as if it were the best moment of her life. She immensely enjoyed life, and her infectious laughter was a direct sign of the exuberant joy she felt in her heart. Sister Marita often said that if she were to have a coat of arms, it would read from St. Peter: “Cast all your cares on the Lord, knowing that God has care for you.” She also would mention that her name Soucy meant “care.” She cared for all with whom and for whom she addition to her Sisters in Community, especially her good friend, Sister Elizabeth Anderson, Sister Marita is survived by her sister, Claire Desrochers, and many nieces and nephews. Sister is predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Annette and Andy Moreau and Aline and Larry Fagan, her brother, Leo Soucy, her sister, Jeanne Soucy, and a brother-in-law, Bob Sisters of St. Joseph wish to thank the Monsignor Bojnowski staff for their compassionate care for Sister Marita, especially in her last illness. Likewise, we thank Franciscan Hospice Care for their caring presence and attention to Sister Marita.
Source link
