Sr. Doris McKernan, O.P. Obituary (1928

Sister Doris McKernan, OP (Sister Margaret Helene) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, died May 24, 2016 at St. Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell, NJ. She was 88 years of age. The daughter of the late Leo James and Helen May Krekel McKernan, she was born August 23, 1928 in Jersey City, NJ. S. Doris entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, NY on September 8, 1946, made her First Profession June 26, 1948 and Final Profession on August 25, 1951. S. Doris holds a Bachelor's degree in Latin from Seton Hall University and a Master's degree in Religious Education from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. S. Doris taught at Saint Mary School in Gloucester, NJ (1948-50) and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Paterson, NJ (1950-53). Moving to secondary education, she taught Latin and Math at Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic, NJ (1953-58) and at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Newburgh, NY (1958-65). Sister was principal at Annunciation School in Crestwood, NY (1965-66) and Saint Rose School in Haddon Heights, NJ (1966-67). She returned to teaching at Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic, NJ (1967-72). In September 1972, Sister joined four other Sisters and a Dominican priest in a House of Prayer at Eastern Point in Gloucester, MA. In March 1973, Sister was coordinator to the Dominican House of Studies. Receiving her Master's in Religious Studies, Sister began her role as Director of Religious Education, serving at Saint Joseph Parish in Pomfret, MD (1973-78) and at Saint Bernardine Parish in Suitland, MD (1978-80 at Saint Andrew Parish in Avenel, NJ (1980-82), Saint Bernadette Parish in Parlin, NJ (1982-83), Saint Vincent Parish in Bayonne, NJ (1983-85), Christ the King Parish in Hillside, NJ (1985-86), Saint Edward's Parish in Milford, NJ (1986-88), and at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Wayne, NJ (1988 - 2011). S. Doris retired to live in Wayne, NJ. She recently moved to St. Catherine of Siena Health Care in Caldwell, NJ. She received the Vivere Christus Award from the diocese in 2010. She was also recognized by the Knights of Columbus as the Senior Citizen of the Year in 2007. S. Doris celebrated her 70th Jubilee of religious life this year. S. Doris is survived by brothers, Leo Louis McKernan and sister-in-law Catherine of Monroe, Twp., NJ, and Thomas James McKernan and sister-in-law Theresa of Hazlet, NJ and sisters Patricia Helen Clancy of W. Keansburg, NJ and Joan Vaszlavik of Jersey City, NJ. She is predeceased by her parents, her brothers John Mckernan and Robert John McKernan and sister Margaret McKernan. The funeral will be held on Friday, May 27 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Wayne, NJ at 588 County Rd 504. Hours of Visitation: 9:15 - 10:15 am; Prayer Service: 10:15; Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery in Newburgh, NY.