Obituary of Sr. Mary Joel Hopkinson, R.S.M.

Sister Mary Joel Hopkinson, Sister of Mercy Sister Mary Joel, 90, died Saturday, April 25, 2009 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. She was born in Revere, MA and attended high school in Somerville, MA. She earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Pace Institute in NY. Sister Joel was a convert to Catholicism and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1953. She continued her education and earned a degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court University and a Master's degree in Business Education from Boston University. She taught at St. Mary High School in Perth Amboy, Cathedral High School in Trenton and Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank. She served as assistant business administrator for the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung and as Congregational Treasurer for 15 year. After her retirement she continued to serve as a consultant and in the Finance Office. She was a founding member of "NATRI" National Association of Treasurers of Religious Institutes and served on its Board Executive Committee. In her own words "My greatest joy is the joy of knowing that I am a Sister of Mercy working as a woman of the Church in precisely the time and place that Our Lord had in mind for me from the beginning. Alleluia! Several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, as well as many loving and caring friends survive Sister Mary Joel. Visiting will be from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 and 9:00 to 10:00 on Wednesday, April 29 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at McAuley Hall Health Care Center 1633 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ. Interment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community, Mount Saint Mary 1645, Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069