March 3, 1939 – November 9, 2024
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Maryellen Tierney, CSJ, who passed away on November 9, 2024, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 85 years of age.
Sister Maryellen was born on March 3, 1939, in St. Louis to parents Thomas Anthony and Mary Bridget (Barry) Tierney. She was received into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1958 as Sister Thomas Maureen. She received a bachelor’s degree in business education from Fontbonne College (now Fontbonne University) in St. Louis in 1964 and a master’s in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in 1971.
Sister Maryellen served her first 12 years of ministry in education. She taught at American Martyrs Grade School in Kingsford, Michigan (1962-64); Academy of Our Lady in Peoria, Illinois (1964-67); St. Paul Grade School in Negaunee, Michigan (1967-68); and St. Jude Grade School in St. Louis (1968-70). She served her last two years in education as principal at St. Thomas More Grade School in Kansas City, Missouri.
In 1972, Sister Maryellen moved back to her hometown of St. Louis, where she remained and called home. For the next 33 years, Sister Maryellen served in administration at CSJ-related organizations. Beginning in 1972, she was at the St. Joseph Generalate (now known as the Congregational Center) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet as the generalate secretary for 10 years and administrative assistant for two. She then served at the Carondelet Health System from 1984 to 1999 as an administrative assistant/office manager and then as executive assistant.
Sister Maryellen served the next 14 years as the administrative assistant at the St. Louis Province’s Provincial House (also known as the Carondelet Motherhouse). During that time, she was an integral part of the vast renovations of the Carondelet Motherhouse.
Sister Maryellen retired in 2014 and served as a volunteer. In 2023, she moved to Nazareth Living Center and carried out her ministry of prayer and presence until her passing.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Nazareth Living Center Chapel, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129. The Mass will be available to view via livestream at https://video.ibm.com/channel/csjsl-general.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.