Sister Mary Joan Phillips' Obituary
Sister Mary Joan Phillips
Sr. Mary Joan Phillips, age 94 years, died on July 21, 2021, at Ascension Mercy Hospital, Oshkosh, WI.
Sr. Mary Joan was born in Waterloo, Iowa on September 4, 1926. She was the second of six children born to Mary Catherine Schmitz and Theodore Phillips. She was baptized Theresa Marie.
She entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on October 15, 1945 and received the name Sister Mary Joan when she received the religious habit on August 12, 1946. Sister professed her final vows on August 12, 1951 in Milwaukee, WI. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee on September 1, 1973 and her Golden Jubilee on September 1, 1995 both in Denville, NJ. She celebrated her 60th Jubilee on September 21, 2008 in Oshkosh, WI.
After first vows she was asked to teach for “one year” which grew into a teaching career of 47 years. She taught in Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Jersey. She was the principal of St. Mary’s School, Denville, NJ from 1966-1995. Upon retiring from education in 1995, she began a new ministry in the Pastoral Care Department at Saint Clare Hospital, Denville, NJ (1995-2018). Sister retired to SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI on February 4, 2020.
Sister was known for her endless energy, fast walk wherever she went and the hospitality she offered everyone.
Sister is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Eldred, Norbert, Joseph and Neal Phillips. She is survived by her sister Marilyn Sieberg who lives in Mankato, MN along with nieces and nephews.
Homecoming will be on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 4:00pm at Franciscan Courts. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 10:30 am at Franciscan Courts. Rev. William Hower will be the presider. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato, MN. Fiss & Bills Poklasny Funeral Home oversees the arrangements.
Please contact Carlene Enama at 920-230-2050 if you would like to attend either of these services.
What’s your fondest memory of Sister Mary?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sister Mary?
Share a story where Sister Mary's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sister Mary you’ll never forget.
How did Sister Mary make you smile?