Sr. Julia Lydon (Sr. St. Monica Jeanne), a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame, entered eternal life at Mozaic Senior Life in Bridgeport, Conn., on Oct. 20, 2026, at age 88.

Born in New York City, Sr. Julia was the daughter of William and Julia Lydon. She shared a special relationship with her sister, Mary.

She completed her elementary education at St. Monica Parish School and her secondary education at St. Jean Baptiste High School, class of 1956.

Sr. Julia professed her first vows as a Sister of the Congregation of Notre Dame on Aug. 23, 1958.

In 1966, she earned a bachelor’s degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago. She continued her studies, earning a master’s degree in English education from Southern Connecticut State University in 1970 and a master’s degree in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1973.

Although a native and proud Manhattanite, Sr. Julia’s 58 years of service took her to Connecticut, New York, Illinois, and Virginia. Forty-one of those years, in different decades, were spent in Illinois. She taught elementary and high school students at St. Jude the Apostle and Seton Academy in South Holland, was the director of religious education at St. Patrick’s Parish in Kankakee and Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Hometown, and served as director of adult faith formation at St. Mary of Gostyn Parish in Downers Grove. The other 17 years of mission involved social work in Appalachia and teaching and pastoral work in Staten Island, Manchester, Conn., and Waterbury, Conn.

Sr. Julia’s lively teaching style, her love of reading, and her pastoral ministry embodied her desire to offer kindness, wisdom, and spiritual accompaniment. Sr. Julia will be remembered for the many gifts she shared so generously with her companions, students, and friends.

Sr. Julia is mourned by her community, the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Julia, and her sister, Mary.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Norwalk, Conn., on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m. The celebrant will be Fr. Victor Martin. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. before the liturgy.

Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Danbury, Conn.

Cornell Memorial Funeral Home in Danbury, Conn., has made the funeral arrangements.

Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
10:30-11:30 a.m.
St. Matthew Church
216 Scribner Ave.
Norwalk, Conn. 06854

Interment
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
12:30-1:30 p.m.
St. Peter’s Cemetery
71 Lake Ave. Ext.
Danbury, Conn. 06810