Sister Julia McGrath SSJ
Obituary
Sister Julia McGrath, (Teresa Edward), beloved member of the Sisters
of St. Joseph, died in Mont Marie Health Care Center, Holyoke on Friday,
April 11, 2008.
Sister was a native of Northampton, MA and was educated there. She
received her B.A. from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and an M.A.T.
from St. Michaels College, Winooski VT.
Her early years in teaching were in the Worcester Diocese at St. Peter
school, and in the Providence Diocese at St. Joseph school in Newport,
RI. Many years were spent in the Diocese of Springfield at St. Joseph
High School, North Adams; Pittsfield Central Catholic School, Pittsfield
and St. Agnes School Dalton. Her bonds in northern Berkshire were
formed during these years. She served many years in Williamstown, MA in
Parish Ministry including companion to the elderly, at St. Raphael/St.
Patrick Parish. Sister Julia and her close friend Benjamin, a miniature
poodle, were frequent visitors to the local nursing homes distributing
smiles, wisecracks, and the Blessed Sacrament.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister is survived by her
sisters Mary Lavallee, Ellen Bak and Elizabeth Tataro, all of
Northampton, and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and
grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph, William and
Harold. A bus was provided by the local parish for those attending the
funeral services held in the Mont Marie Chapel.
A memorial Mass for Sister was celebrated at Sts. Patrick and Raphael
Parish on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, followed by a reception at the
Church Hall. Several of her Sister Nuns and former students were in
attendance.
In Sister Julia's memory a lovely weeping cherry tree, pictured above,
has been planted in the front of the Church.
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