Maryknoll, NY: Sister Joan Marie Peltier, M.M. died on November 10th, 2019 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 82 years!
Joan was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 6th, 1919 to Marie (Hentgen) Peltier and Clarence Peltier. She was the eldest of ten children and is survived by a few of her siblings: Mary Ann, Geraldine, Thomas and John.
From 1934-1937, Joan attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Milwaukee, WI. After graduating, she entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY on June 10th, 1937 (from Immaculate Conception Parish in the Diocese of Milwaukee). At her Reception into the Congregation she received the religious name, Sister Mary Kateri. Later after Vatican Council II, she returned to her baptismal name. She made her First Profession of Vows on January 6th, 1940 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY; and then her Final Vows also at the Sisters Center on January 6th, 1943.
In 1939, Sister Joan began her studies at Maryknoll Teachers College, which was located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. In 1943, she earned a Bachelor of Education Degree.
That same year, she was assigned to Riberalta, Bolivia to do pastoral and catechetical work, while studying the Spanish language. Sister Joan was one of the first two Sisters assigned to Bolivia, this was a new mission for Maryknoll at that time.
In 1946, she moved to Cobija, Bolivia where she served as a religion teacher at one of the newly built local schools. She remained in Bolivia, but transferred to Guayaramarin in 1952, where she was appointed as Regional Superior of the Bolivia-Peru Region until 1966.
In 1967, Sister Joan was temporarily assigned back to the U.S. to teach 8th grade in San Juan Capistrano, CA, before returning to South America in May of that same year. This time she was assigned to Lima and Arequipa, Peru, doing catechetical work in the public schools and helping establish daycare centers for the children of field workers. She remained in Peru until 1971.
In 1972, she returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, NY to serve as the Food Service Liaison in the Kitchen and volunteered in the Congregational Research Department until 1975.
From 1975-1985, Sister Joan transferred to Breckenridge, TX to do pastoral work and serve as Assistant Pastor in five rural towns. Her duties included conducting liturgical ceremonies, preaching, religious education with adults and children, and working with churches of other denominations.
She then relocated to St. Louis, MO to work with the physically challenged until 1990. Her next assignment was in Chicago, IL to perform regional clerical services until 1993.
For the last time, Sister Joan returned to Bolivia in 1994. She spent six years assisting with regional administration duties at the Maryknoll Sisters house there.
In 1997, she returned to the U.S., staying at the Maryknoll House in West Haven, CT and then the Sisters house in Yonkers, NY. She was an active volunteer involved in local ministries, including the Maryknoll Affiliates Subway Chapter in NYC. In 2009, at the age of 90, Sister Joan retired.
A Vespers service was held for Sister Joan Peltier on Thursday November 14th, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.
A Mass of Resurrection was held on Friday, November 15th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. also in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.
Interment followed in the Maryknoll Sisters Cemetery on the Center grounds.