Sister Catherine Joseph McDonough, Daughter of Charity, age 86, died at St. Louise House in Albany, New York on December 29, 2020. Sister Catherine Joseph (Mary Theresa) McDonough was born in January 1934 in South Boston, Massachusetts to Katherine (O’Laughlin) and Patrick Joseph McDonough, where she grew up with her six sisters. After graduation from St. Augustine High School, South Boston in 1952, Sister Catherine Joseph entered the Daughters of Charity.
Sister Catherine Joseph was well prepared to serve in Elementary Education. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, Maryland, and an M.S. in Elementary Education from Niagara University, New York. Sister Catherine Joseph served in Elementary Education and parish ministry for many years: St. Charles School, Pikesville, Maryland (1954-1961); Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal School, Greensboro, North Carolina (1961-1969); St. Ann School, Bridgeport, Connecticut (1969-1971); DePaul Provincial House, Albany, New York (1971-1975); St. Joseph School, Holbrook, Massachusetts (1975-1981); St. James School, Johnson City, New York (1981-1993); Clark House, Binghamton, New York (1993-2004); and St. Joseph Parish, Holbrook, Massachusetts (2004-2015). Sister Catherine Joseph entered the Ministry of Prayer at St. Louise House in Albany, New York in 2015; she served there until the time of her death.
Sister Catherine Joseph is survived by five sisters, Peggy McDonough, Anna Mullen, Eileen McDonagh, Barbara Flaherty, and Patricia Kelleher; many nieces and nephews; many friends; and her Sisters in Community. She was predeceased by her sister, Kathleen Walsh.
A private wake service and funeral Mass was held at St. Louise House, Albany on January 4, 2021; internment followed at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York.