Sister Mary Joy Benson, RGS., 89, of Danville, PA, passed away on Tuesday December 13, 2022
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DANVILLE, PA ~ Sister Mary Joy Benson, RGS., 89, of Danville, PA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at Nazareth Memory Center, 15 Schoolhouse Drive, Danville, PA.
She was born on March 13, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland and named, Frances Louise Benson. Sister Mary Joy is the daughter of the late Paul D. Benson and Mary Catherine Murphy Benson
She attended St. Ambrose Elementary school and Seaton High school in Baltimore, MD. Upon inquiry, Sr. Mary Joy was received by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd as a candidate for their formation program on July 16, 1953. Sr. Mary Joy pronounced her first vows on February 11, 1956 and Final vows on August 22, 1959.
Initially, Sister Mary Joy took the religious name, Sr. Mary of our Lady of Joy at the time of her first vows. In her early years as a Sister of the Good Shepherd, Sr. Mary Joy served in our residential programs for adolescent girls. Her ministries included Assistant Group Leader and Teacher in Baltimore, MD; Principal in Batesburg, SC. Sr. Mary Joy had great love for music. In 1972 She received a BS degree in Education: Concentration in Music from Marywood University, Scranton, PA. Her subsequent ministries included: Music Teacher in Elementary School, Baltimore, MD; Elderly Care volunteer to our Sisters, Fort Thomas, KY; Volunteer work in nursing homes in Philadelphia, PA; Her most recent service has been to people in need that she encountered through her volunteer work in Philadelphia, PA She delighted to share her love for music and humor with those whom she encountered in her neighborhood and the various organizations with whom she volunteered.
Sr. Mary Joy was committed to ongoing formation and training. She earned Certificates for Graduate courses in: Special Education from Temple University; General Education from St. Joseph College, Philadelphia, PA; Advanced Professional Certificate, Maryland State Department of Education.
Sr. Mary Joy will be remembered for her deep commitment and sensitivity to those who were marginalized and or neglected, her unwavering loyalty to her family and friends and her great simplicity of life.
Sr. Mary Joy is survived by her sister Rosemary Owings, brother-in-law, Nelson Owings, and 6 nieces and 6 nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Patricia, Eileen, and Camilla.
A Mass of Resurrection will be offered at Maria Hall Chapel. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Elysburg, PA. The service may be viewed remotely by Facebook Livestream at www.facebook.com/visneskifh.
Flowers will be provided.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821.
Links: Facebook.com/visneskifh ~ Twitter.com/visneskifh ~ www.Visneski.com