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Sister Mary Dolora Luptak, F.D.C entered her eternal reward on November 15, 2011. Baptised in the Lutheran religion of her father, Sister Dolora became a Catholic and at the age of 18 entered the Daughters of Dicing Charity, Her parents were at first opposed to her decision, but relented when she threatened to enter a more severe congregations and venture to treat lepers!

Sister Dolora began her teaching career in elementary schools staffed by the Daughters of Divine Charity in New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan. In 1967, she came to St. Joseph Hill Academy in Staten Island and began her career as a high school teacher. Sister specialized in Social Studies for many years.

Ever the adventurer, Sister Dolora led her students on unforgettable academic trips. One year Sister Dolora spent time with students in Kenya. She also ventured as far as Hong Kong to participate in a cultural and historical workshop with colleagues.

Sister M. Clavaria Horvath, F.D.C. died on November 3, 2011. Sister Clavaria was born on September 28, 1917 in Toledo, Ohio. She entered the novitiate of the Daughters of Divine Charity in 1935 and professed her first vows in 1937.

Sister Clavaria was a kind and loving person who willingly accepted any task given to her. She loved teaching and received special joy teaching the Second Grade where she prepared the children of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for First Holy Communion. She was particularly proud that one of her Second Graders, Phil Mickelson, the professional golfer, but was quick to remind you that she prayed equally for all her past students.

In 1994, Sister Clavaria received an award from the Diocese of San Bernadino, California for 59 years of service to Catholic education.

Sister Clavaria was very interested in how this new home was coming together. While the crew was visiting the convent for the production of the “Building a Home” video, Sister Clavaria spent many hours smiling for the camera and praying for the cameramen and director. She spent quit some time talking to the film crew about her years as a teacher. She was also curious about the ins and outs of their careers making movies.

Sister Clavaria spent her retirement years at the St. Joseph Hill Convent and when our dear Lord came to take her by the hand to her heavenly home, dear Sister Clavaria was more than ready!

Sister Mary Christopher, F.D.C. died on August 21, 2011. A Daughter of Divine Charity for over 60 years, she was born Rose Chorba on August 9, 1923 in Trenton, New Jersey to Joseph and Mary Stadler Chorba.

After attending local public high school, Rose entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity at St. Joseph Hill on Staten Island. Sr. Christopher completed her postulancy and novitiate and professed her vows in 1944.

With the exception of two years teaching in elementary schools in Indiana, Sister Christopher spent the entirety of her teaching career at St. Joseph Hill Academy on Staten Island. She taught in the elementary school of the Academy from 1943-1949. She then taught Science and Math in the high school there until the 1990’s. Instruction in her classes was rigorous and thorough

Sister Christopher served as a Provincial Councilor beginning in the 1970’s and with Sr. Albert was co-treasurer of the St. Joseph Province during the late 1980’s. She was transferred to California and spent a few years working in St. Therese Parish, San Diego, and St. Joseph Parish in Fontana.

After having some health setbacks, Sr. Christopher returned to St. Joseph Hill Convent and lived there until she required more specialized care. She then resided, until her passing, at Eger Health and Rehabilitation Center on Staten Island.

Sr. Christopher treasured her family, her religious community, and her friends. She kept up a voluminous correspondence with very many of them up to her last days. When poor eyesight and diminished handwriting skills prevented her from writing herself, her long time faithful friend Marie Stewart became her scribe and maintained these contacts by getting all those “dictated” missives out.

Sr. Christopher kept her spiritual and intellectual life enriched and vibrant. This was aided by the many books and audio tapes she received from her friends. Whenever the possibility presented itself and when she was physically able, she returned to St. Joseph Hill convent for retreats, days of recollection and other community events. Participation in the life of her religious community was greatly important to her.

She will be missed by her many friends and will most assuredly revel in the company of her Lord, and her favorite Saints and friends in the Communion of Saints.

Sister M. Concepta (Margaret) Petresky, 92, a member of the Daughters of Divine Charity and a teacher who was known for her keen sense of humor and her exquisite needlepoint embroidery, died on April 15, 2011 in St. Joseph Hill Convent, Arrochar.

Born in Freemansburg, Pa., to parents who emigrated from Hungary, Sister Concepta came to St. Joseph Hill Convent in 1934 and professed her first vows in 1940.
Sister Concepta taught at St. Joseph Hill Academy and a number of elementary and junior high schools in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Indiana staffed by the Daughters of Divine Charity.

She was known to her students for her sharp wit and creativity.

“She had a great sense of humor,” said Sister Denise Martin, superior at St. Joseph Hill Convent. “Anything you said, she had a joke for it, even until the end.”
In 1978, Sister Concepta transferred to Villa Madonna in Hackettstown, N.J., where she was of help to the elderly and infirm sisters there because she loved to drive, taking them to outside appointments and helping them do their shopping and errands.

Her sense of humor endeared her to local merchants, who were generous with food and gifts to the convent and for fundraisers there.

Her needlework talent can also be seen in framed works of cross-stitch embroidery, including the motto and emblem of the Daughters of Divine Charity at the entrance to St. Joseph Hill Convent.

Sister Concepta is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Sister M. Estelle Boytis, F.D.C. was born to Elizabeth Nemeth and Steven Boytis in Roebling, New Jersey. She had one sister. Sister was soon recognized to have artistic talent and this became the hallmark of her consecrated life. She graduated form St. Joseph hill Academy conducted by the Daughters of Divine Charity. She received her education degree form Seton Hall University and studied fine and commercial art in the Washington School of Art. She received a Master of Fine Art Education from Newark State College

Sister had experience teaching all levels of junior High and Elementary school. She moderated the art club at St. Joseph Hill Academy and had pupils of all ages for independent art study. She received a grant to participate in the Artists’ International Workshop in Rome sponsored by the University of Virginia during the summer of 1979. some of the paintings from this time are on display at St. Joseph Hill Convent.

Sister often conducted art workshops sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York and in various teachers’ institutes on Staten Island and other cities. She won recognition especially for a pastel painting she made of the Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. which was later reproduced as a card

Sister also designed the stained glass windows for St. Elizabeth Chapel in Carteret, N.J.

After a richly blessed career as a teacher in New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York, Sister was stationed to Villa Madonna where she did research and made display posters about the mansion and the Rutherfurd family. She enhanced many occasions with her talent and ability in calligraphy. In “retirement” she continued to tutor private students, create flyers and posters.

Sister also played the organ at liturgies and wrote a melody for the Congregation motto Omnia Pro Deo.

When Sister had to leave Villa Madonna, she went to Staten Island but was soon forced by physical infirmity to become a resident of Eger Health Care Center. There she conducted art classes for the residents, some of whom discovered in advanced age that they had artistic talent.

A few weeks before her death Sister’s many health problems began to take their toll. She slept more and more and became less able to respond. Sisters spent time at her side as the end neared. On September 10, 2009 she quietly breathed her soul into the arms of the Lord.