Remembering Sister Joan Cadden, CSJ

March 16, 1937 – November 5, 2024

Sister Joan Cadden (John Catherine) died on November 5, 2024 at the Teresian House at the age of 87 in the 67th year of her religious life. Born March 16, 1937 in Binghamton, New York, Joan was one of two siblings and the only daughter of Anna and John Cadden. Joan graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Binghamton, New York in 1955 and entered The Sisters of St. Joseph in 1957. Prior to this, Joan worked as an executive secretary for IBM.

It became obvious early on, that Joan was a very gifted and flexible woman as her life in Community will attest. She began as a high school business teacher, spent an interim teaching fourth grade, resumed teaching high school business, then served on the Treasurer’s Office Staff before becoming Registrar at The College of Saint Rose. In each of these capacities, Sister Joan exhibited attention to detail and a willingness to learn coupled with her good humor and sunny smile. These qualities made her an excellent candidate for an administrative position which Joan assumed in 1985 as Assistant to the Provincial House Administrator for one year then becoming Administrator herself for 6 years. In August of 1992, Joan’s innate kindness and compassion led her to Maria College to pursue a degree in nursing which she achieved two years later. For 29 years, Joan held a variety of nursing positions: Staff R.N., Staff Development Coordinator, Nursing Supervisor and Community Health Care Advisor, treating each patient with reverence and dignity. In April of 2023, suffering from a long-term disease, Sister Joan retired. With her deep faith and her trust in the providence of God, Sister Joan accepted her illness without self-pity or complaint.

Sister Joan is mourned by her beloved Community, her friends, especially Sister Mary Anne Heenan and the Sisters at the Teresian House. She is survived by two cousins: Eileen Mlynarczyk and Sue Killarney, both from Vestal, New York as well as Arlene Gifford and Linda Carr, two good friends to Sister Joan. Sister Joan’s wake is Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 2-3 pm at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, followed by a prayer service at 3 pm. The funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 10:30 am at the Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110.

Contributions in Sister Joan’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.