Obituary for Sr. Mary Elizabeth Bonia Smsm
SR. MARY ELIZABETH BONIA, SMSM
Of Waltham, entered eternal rest & peace in the loving arms of her God on Thursday March 26th, 2020 in Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham at the age of 97.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was born on August 12, 1922 in St. Mary’s Bay, Newfoundland, Canada; beloved daughter of the late John J, Bonia and Elizabeth (Whelan) Bonia. Sister was of a family of 2 boys, William and Joseph and 7 girls, Joan, Kathleen, Madelein, Mary, Frances Lee, Dorothy, and Elizabeth, all of whom predeceased her.
Sister Mary Elizabeth entered the Marist Missionary Sisters in Bedford, Massachusetts on February 11, 1947. After her training, she took her 1st Vows on August 15, 1951, and then her Final Vows on August 15, 1957.
Sister then gave community service until February 1961 when she was missioned to Jamaica from 1961 to 1966. Sister returned to the United States to give service as Mission Bursar in administration until 1970.
Upon the completion of the Maristhill Nursing Home in 1970, Sister became its first Administrator and served in this capacity until 1976.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was missioned to Memphis, TN, where she served as Director of Code North, helping to rehabilitate old dwellings for the poor of the City until 1983. Sister was recalled to Waltham, Massachusetts to serve as Provincial Superior of her community from 1983 until 1988. Sister gave service in community from 1989-1990, when she was missioned to Chicago, where she worked until 1994.
The Union of Major Religious asked her to take up residence with the very poor of Lake Providence, Louisiana where she worked from1995 to 1998. Sister then returned to Waltham and moved into subsidize housing at the St. Mary’s Apartments from 2001-2005. Sister’s next move was to Marillac Assisted Living in August 2005 until 2010. After failing health including a stroke, Sister moved to MaristHill Nursing Home in 2014.
Sister is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, dear friends as well as her loving & devoted Community of Marist Missionary Sisters.
Out of concern for the COVID 19 health crisis; the Marist Missionary Sisters will gather to celebrate Sister Mary Elizabeth's Life in PRIVATE at the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Tuesday March 31st. Burial will follow at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Watertown. The Marist Sisters will plan a public prayer service at a later date.
Donations may be made in Sister Mary Elizabeth's memory to the Marist Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, 349 Grove St., Waltham, MA 02453-6018.
Of Waltham, entered eternal rest & peace in the loving arms of her God on Thursday March 26th, 2020 in Maristhill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Waltham at the age of 97.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was born on August 12, 1922 in St. Mary’s Bay, Newfoundland, Canada; beloved daughter of the late John J, Bonia and Elizabeth (Whelan) Bonia. Sister was of a family of 2 boys, William and Joseph and 7 girls, Joan, Kathleen, Madelein, Mary, Frances Lee, Dorothy, and Elizabeth, all of whom predeceased her.
Sister Mary Elizabeth entered the Marist Missionary Sisters in Bedford, Massachusetts on February 11, 1947. After her training, she took her 1st Vows on August 15, 1951, and then her Final Vows on August 15, 1957.
Sister then gave community service until February 1961 when she was missioned to Jamaica from 1961 to 1966. Sister returned to the United States to give service as Mission Bursar in administration until 1970.
Upon the completion of the Maristhill Nursing Home in 1970, Sister became its first Administrator and served in this capacity until 1976.
Sister Mary Elizabeth was missioned to Memphis, TN, where she served as Director of Code North, helping to rehabilitate old dwellings for the poor of the City until 1983. Sister was recalled to Waltham, Massachusetts to serve as Provincial Superior of her community from 1983 until 1988. Sister gave service in community from 1989-1990, when she was missioned to Chicago, where she worked until 1994.
The Union of Major Religious asked her to take up residence with the very poor of Lake Providence, Louisiana where she worked from1995 to 1998. Sister then returned to Waltham and moved into subsidize housing at the St. Mary’s Apartments from 2001-2005. Sister’s next move was to Marillac Assisted Living in August 2005 until 2010. After failing health including a stroke, Sister moved to MaristHill Nursing Home in 2014.
Sister is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, dear friends as well as her loving & devoted Community of Marist Missionary Sisters.
Out of concern for the COVID 19 health crisis; the Marist Missionary Sisters will gather to celebrate Sister Mary Elizabeth's Life in PRIVATE at the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Tuesday March 31st. Burial will follow at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Watertown. The Marist Sisters will plan a public prayer service at a later date.
Donations may be made in Sister Mary Elizabeth's memory to the Marist Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, 349 Grove St., Waltham, MA 02453-6018.