Sister Marie deLourdes Justice, O.P. of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, entered eternal life on September 26, 2024, in Mount Vernon. She was 94. The daughter of the late Frank Joseph Justice and Irene Boddingham, she was born on February 6, 1930, in Gloucester, New Jersey, and named Irene Regina.

Sister Marie deLourdes entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, New York, in September 1951, made her First Profession in June 1953, and Final Profession in August 1956. Sister Marie deLourdes earned her BS in Elementary Education from Seton Hall and her MSE in Reading from the College of New Rochelle, New York.

Ministry History: Sister Marie deLourdes taught at St. Paul Elementary School in Jersey City, New Jersey (1953-55); Our Lady of Victory Elementary School in Mount Vernon (1955-57); Holy Family Elementary School in New Rochelle (1957-62); Holy Rosary Elementary School in Hawthorne (1962-69); Annunciation Elementary School in Tuckahoe (1969-72); St. Anthony Elementary School in Hawthorne, New Jersey (1972-75); and Guardian Angel Elementary School in Manhattan (1975-2005).

In 2005, Sister Marie deLourdes retired from full-time teaching continuing to live at Guardian Angel Convent until she moved to St. Michael’s Convent with the Presentation Sisters and the Franciscan Sisters of Peace, Manhattan. In 2016, Sister Marie deLourdes continued her retirement years living at the Wartburg Meadowview Assisted Living facility in Mount Vernon. During her more than 50 years as an elementary school teacher, she touched the lives of hundreds of young people.

Although born in New Jersey, Sister Marie deLourdes loved New York City and was an expert navigator of public transportation, traveling throughout Manhattan easily. Sister Marie deLourdes was deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother, and one of the highlights of her life was traveling to Lourdes, France.
Devoted to her family, Sister Marie deLourdes is survived by her sister Agnes Justice Turing, nieces Kristine Dyson (Ed), Kara Silvestri (Jim), Kathleen Greene (Jerry), and nephew Ken Turing (Lynda) as well as 10 great-nieces and great-nephews. Sister Marie deLourdes is predeceased by her parents Frank and Irene.
Sister Marie deLourdes’ funeral will occur on Monday, September 30, 2024, in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary in Dominican Center at Mount St. Mary College, 230 Powell Ave., Newburgh, N.Y. 12550. There will be a viewing in the chapel beginning at 9:15 a.m. The Wake Prayer Service will follow at 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sister Marie deLourdes’ burial will follow liturgy in Newburgh’s Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home, Gidney Avenue, Newburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sister Marie deLourdes Justice’s name may be sent to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, N.Y. 10562.