Remembering Sister Claudette Harris, CSJ

July 25, 1936 – February 4, 2026

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Claudette Harris, CSJ, who died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany, New York on February 4, 2026. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph for 70 years.

Born in Syracuse, New York, on July 25, 1936, she was the daughter of Roy and Bernice Harris. Educated in both elementary and secondary Catholic schools in Syracuse, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.

Following her many years as an elementary school teacher and then principal, Sister Claudette became the coordinator of student teachers at The College of Saint Rose, a position she held for nearly ten years.

In 1986, Sister Claudette became the executive director of Sunnyside Center in Troy, New York. Sunnyside provided multiple services to children, aged 3 through 12, in the form of after-school, summer recreation, mentoring and tutoring programs. She had an untiring commitment and dedication to improving the social, economic, educational and civic conditions of her community. Sister Claudette was known as the “heart and soul” of Sunnyside. The programs initiated there earned her the trust and the respect of families and individuals she served, as well as the many agencies, boards and committees she interacted with over the years.

Following her tenure at Sunnyside, Claudette became coordinator of the Sister Care Ministry, meeting the needs of the frail elderly and people with disabilities who desire to live independently but cannot afford private pay agencies. She thrived in her demanding ministries, finding her support from friends, her sisters in the Sisters of St. Joseph community and former Saint Rose colleagues.

Sister Claudette was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Roy and Richard, and her sister-in-law, Bonnie Harris. She is survived by her nieces, Michelle Ruggiero, Cathy St. Andrew and Kelly Howard, and their families. She will be missed by them, her many friends and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

The sisters would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph’s Provincial House as well as those at the Teresian House for the care and concern offered to Sister Claudette throughout these past few years.

Wake services will take place at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham, New York on Monday, February 9 from 2-4 p.m. with a prayer service at 3 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be held on Tuesday, February 10 at 10:30 a.m.

Contributions in Sister Claudette’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, New York, 12110 or donate online.