Sister Mary Winifred Feeney (formerly Sister Maria Joseph) died in Camilla Hall on Saturday, February 5, 2022 in the 54th year of her religious life.
Mary Winifred Feeney was born on October 30, 1948. Joseph and Anna Marie (Kliebenstein) Feeney raised Mary Winifred and her brother in St. John the Baptist Parish in Philadelphia. “Winnie” attended St. John the Baptist Elementary School and Hallahan High School for Girls from which she graduated in 1966. Later, while in Community, Sister earned her degree from Immaculata College.
Sister entered the Community on September 15, 1966, she received her habit and her religious name, Sister Maria Joseph, on June 27, 1967; and she pronounced her First Vows on Jun 28, 1969.
Sister began her ministerial journey in the fall of 1969. Sister Maria Joseph taught children in grades 1, 4, 7, and 8 throughout her teaching apostolate. Sister also had the privilege of teaching adults in one of our Literacy Programs. Sister’s teaching experience very well rounded.
Sister served children and families primarily in the Philadelphia area. Sister taught at St. Dominic, St. Cecilia, Transfiguration, Good Shepherd, and St. Monica. During her term at Transfiguration, Sister served as Principal and Superior. In addition, at Good Shepherd and St. Monica, Sister served as Superior and eighth Grade Teacher.
Outside of the Philadelphia area, Sister taught at Immaculate Conception in Somerville, St. Stephen in Port Carbon, Epiphany in Miami, and Villa Maria Academy Lower School in Immaculata.
In the fall of 2008, Sister began teaching adults in the Literacy Center in Incarnation Parish in Philadelphia; in the fall of 2012, Sister served as its Director. In the fall of 2013, Sister’s skills served the adults in the St. Bernard Literacy Program at St. Bernard Parish until November 2019.
Sister Mary Winifred became noticeably ill at this point in her ministry and joined the Camilla Hall Community where she received the care she needed. Sister participated in the Apostolate of Prayer and assisted where and when she was able. Sister succumbed to the ravages of cancer on February 5, 2022. Sister went to heaven with full hands and a full heart.
Her beloved IHM Community, beloved friends, and beloved family members, particularly her brother John Feeney (Mary Lou), her nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews survive Sister Mary Winifred; her parents Joseph Thomas Feeney and Anna Maria (Kliebenstein) Feeney predecease Sister Mary Winifred.
Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM, (main celebrant) and Reverend John Burger, SSC concelebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355