Remembering Sister Marilyn Hayes, CSJ

August 18, 1926 – August 21, 2023

Sister Marilyn Hayes (Sister Thomas Edward), 97, died at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham, New York, on August 21, 2023.  A native of Utica, New York, Sister Marilyn was born on August 18, 1926, the daughter of Frank R. and Irene Cooney Hayes. After graduation from Saint Francis de Sales High School, Sister Marilyn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Troy, New York. She professed final vows in August 1950.

Sister Marilyn completed a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in history at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. Her early days of ministry were spent teaching in the junior high classes of schools in the Syracuse and Albany Dioceses. She also served as Superior and administrator for St. Mary’s Institute, Amsterdam, New York. Sister Marilyn pursued continuing education in religion and other subject matter.

In 1977, Sister Marilyn began nine years of ministry as administrator of St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham. Her calm and gracious manner served her well in the management of this large, complex institution. After completing her service at the provincial house, Sister Marilyn moved to Little Falls, New York, where she functioned as a parish minister. This was during a time of consolidation of parishes when her understanding of parishioners’ concerns called forth her gifts of calm and compassion. As the merger of the three Little Falls parishes continued, she reflected that initially struggles focused on losing churches and separate identities, but gradually there developed a sense of a new community. 

Sister Marilyn served the total community of Little Falls, collaborating with other churches and civic organizations on projects designed to meet the needs of families. In 2004, she was honored as a Woman of Distinction. Among the words of tribute, one writer noted:  “. . . there is no person who has touched the lives of so many people in so many ways as this dedicated sister.”  In 2012, Sister Marilyn retired at the Provincial House in Latham.

Sister Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Irene, by her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and William Wood.  Her memory will be cherished by her attentive nieces and nephews, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, especially the 3A community, and by all those who cared for her.

A Vesper Service for Sister Marilyn will be held on Friday, August 25 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Provincial House Chapel. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Provincial House Chapel on Saturday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m. 

Contributions in Sister Marilyn’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.