Sr. Mary Joseph Palma's Obituary
Sister Mary Joseph Palma
Sister Mary Joseph Palma, age 88, died on Monday, January
29, 2024, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI.
Sister Mary Joseph, born on October 10, 1935, in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin to Francis F. and Bernadine (Hirsch) Palma, was
named and baptized Rosemary Catherine. She is one of
seven children, having four sisters (Betty, Margie, Bernadette
and Mary) and two brothers (Gerald and Francis). Rosemary
entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother August 19,1951
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She professed first vows on August
12, 1955 at Mother of Sorrows Convent, Milwaukee, WI,
receiving the name Sister Mary Joseph.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Mary Joseph served in the role of teacher in
various schools where the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother ministered: St. Cecilia’s
School, Thiensville, WI; St. Francis Borgia School, Cedarburg, WI; Our Lady of Good
School, Milwaukee, WI; Mother Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI; and Angels High
School, Milwaukee, WI. She also served in various administrative roles, including being
head of the Milwaukee Province of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother from 1978-
1982. Other ministries included providing clerical support for the Economic Department
at Marquette University, for the Service Empowerment Transformation Ministry (S.E.T.),
Milwaukee, WI; for Holy Redeemer Parish, Milwaukee, WI; receptionist at St. Philip Neri
parish in Milwaukee, WI. and Vice President of Mission Effectiveness for the SSM Ministry
Corporation in Milwaukee, WI.
Sister Mary Joseph was preceded in death by her parents and brother Francis. She is
survived by her brother Gerald and her four sisters, Betty, Margie, Sister Bernadette, and
Mary.
Homecoming will be held at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts on Thursday, February
1, 2024. Visitation for Sisters, family and friends will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on
Friday, February 2nd. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday
at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI with Father William Hower officiating. Burial will
take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI
What’s your fondest memory of Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mary?
Share a story where Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Mary make you smile?