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Former St. Bernadette School principal dies

Daughter of Wisdom Sister Marie Immaculata Vane, who served as
principal of St. Bernadette School in Springfield from 1966 to 1979, died April
22 at the age of 92.

 

A native of Jamaica, N.Y., she was born Aug. 9, 1925. She was a parishioner
at St. Gerard Majella Parish, Hollis, N.Y., and a 1943 graduate of Bishop
McDonnell High School in Brooklyn. She earned a degree in elementary education
from St. Joseph’s College in North Windham, Maine, and her advanced degree from
The Catholic University of America in Washington in education and psychology.

Sister Marie’s 56-year career in education began and ended in New
York. In the roles of teacher and administrator, her journey started in 1945 at
St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y., as an educator during the Polio
epidemic. In between, she was a superior at the Daughters of Wisdom novitiate
in Litchfield, Conn. (1960-1961); an educator in Maine at Madawaska (1952-1960)
and Acadia School (1961-1966).

Sister’s ministry in education came full circle when she concluded
her career at age 76 teaching on Long Island at Mercy High School in Riverhead
(1980-2001).

After retirement, Sister Marie was still active, participating in
the monthly gathering of Wisdom Circle with her community of sisters and associates,
and was called upon to translate French. Beyond that, at her retirement at Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Convent, she was able to do something she had long
looked forward to, and that was to be able just to pray.

During the time of her transition, members of the Coram (now
Ronkonkoma) Wisdom Circle, who enjoyed Sister Marie’s presence at gatherings
for many years, visited her at hospice. She leaves behind a brother, Edwin, and
many nieces and nephews. She was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram, N.Y.

 

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