Franciscan served in Hawaii, New York
Sister Joan E. Souza, a Kauai-born Sister of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities who ministered at Catholic schools and religious education departments in Hawaii and in New York, died Feb. 6 at St. Francis Hospice in Nuuanu. She was 79. This year marks her 60th anniversary in religious life.
She was famous for her “ono delicious” cookies and bottled jams and jellies.
Sister Joan was born on April 12, 1938, in Eleele, Kauai, to Antone U. and Mary Brun Souza. Both of her parents worked for the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, and to honor this church, the religious name she took upon entering the convent was Regina Pacis, Latin for Queen of Peace.
In 2008, on the occasion of her 50th anniversary as a religious sister, Sister Joan wrote, “I always loved going to church in Eleele, Kauai, where I made my first Holy Communion. I told Jesus I would ‘always love him like Father Henry did.’”
“So when I attended St. Francis Convent School as a boarder where the Franciscan Sisters were always with us — they were loving, caring and sharing women who seemed to love Jesus so much, much as I did,” she said. “Thus I joined the Sisters of St. Francis.”
Sister Joan earned a bachelor’s degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1972. She was also a certified nurse aid.
She served at St. Margaret, Mattydale, N.Y.; Our Lady of Angels, Albany, N.Y.; St. Joseph, Hilo; Aloha Care, Honolulu; St. Francis, Manoa and at St. Michael School, Waialua, where she was a pre-school teacher.
Most recently she worked as a sacristan and a receptionist at St. Francis Healthcare Systems of Hawaii. While at hospice, she reached out to other patients and their families.
Sister Joan is survived by her siblings Sister Grace Michael Souza of Ewa Beach, Joseph Souza of Bonifay, Florida, sister-in-law Alberta Souza of Wahiawa; two nieces, two nephews, and a number of grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews and her religious congregation, the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. Her brother Francis preceded her in death.
Her funeral was Feb. 16 at the St. Francis Convent Chapel in Manoa. She is buried at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis.
