In Loving Memory

Sr. Shirley Deyo August 20, 1923 – June 1, 2018

Sister Shirley Deyo (Sr. Miriam Joseph) SUSC died June 1 at Catholic Sr. Shirley Deyo SUSC Memorial Home, Fall River at the age of ninety-four. The daughter of the late Charles and Lena (Boutin) Deyo, Sr. Shirley was born in Holyoke, MA. Her brothers Charles Deyo Jr. and Fr. Paul Deyo, SS.CC. predeceased her. She is survived by her sister Barbara (Deyo) Hancock as well as several nieces and nephews.

A graduate of the former Sacred Hearts Academy, Sr. Shirley entered the Holy Union Sisters on September 8, 1941. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Fordham University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Hunter College in New York.

Sr. Shirley taught in elementary schools staffed by the Holy Union Sisters in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Her last teaching assignment was at St. Catherine School, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Sr. Shirley then began a ministry of visiting the sick of the parish. She continued to visit the elderly when she moved to St. James Convent, Tiverton, RI. She served as secretary at the Taunton Catholic Middle School, Campion Renewal Center, Weston, MA and the Chancery Office of the Fall River Diocese. When her elderly mother’s health was failing, she moved to Florida to care for her. She retired to the Holy Union Sisters Community at The Landmark, Fall River in 2007 and moved to Catholic Memorial Home in 2017 when her health declined.

In addition to formal studies, Sr. Shirley always took advantage of workshops and courses wherever she was missioned. These included pottery and ceramics workshops, religious education workshops and as she approached retirement, she participated in workshops that helped religious make this transition. She enlivened many social gatherings, harmonizing at sing-alongs and playing the spoons. In 2016, Sr. Shirley celebrated her 75th anniversary as a Holy Union Sister.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River, MA. Burial in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River followed. Arrangements were by Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home, Fall River, MA.

Donations in Sr. Shirley’s memory may be made to Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office, P.O. BOX 410, MILTON, MA 02186.

As we bid farewell to Sr. Shirley, may we be united with her through this prayer of Cardinal Newman, which she prayed daily;
“…Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly
that all my life may be only a radiance of Thine.
Shine through me and be so in me
that every soul I come in contact with
may feel your presence in my soul.
Let them look up and see no long me, but only Jesus.