Sr. Joan Spingler, OP

Sister Joan Spingler, OP, a member of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell for 65 years, died peacefully at St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, NJ on January 21, 2021 at the age of 83, 5 days shy of her 84th birthday.

Sister's burial is private. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

Condolences may be left at www.proutfuneralhome.com.

Sister Joan possessed a deep faith, great sense of humor, and the ability to bring compassion and heart to those she was with. She learned this from her parents, Henry and Catherine (Bessinger) Spingler. Sister entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell on August 15, 1955, received the habit on July 2, 1956, made first profession on July 3, 1957 and final profession on July 3, 1963.

Sister earned a Bachelor's Degree majoring in History and minoring in Elementary Education from Caldwell College (Caldwell University) and a Master's Degree in Administration from Fairfield University.

Sister Joan put her heart into everything she did. Her spectrum of experience included teaching Elementary and Middle School students in St. Mary's in Rutherford, St. Virgil's in Morris Plains, Holy Spirit in Asbury Park, Nativity in Midland Park, St. Catherine's in Elizabeth, St. Theresa's in Kenilworth and St. John's in Clark and serving as principal at Christ the King in Hillside and St. Brigid's in North Bergen. Following her years in Elementary School, Sister was then seen as a stern and strict Director of Students and History teacher, yet with a good heart at St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City.

Following her years in the Education field, Sister Joan switched to the Healthcare field and loved working at and helping others in New Community Corporation in Newark, Siena Village in Wayne, St. Joseph Home in Jersey City, Villa Marie Claire in Saddle River, Cusack Care Center in Jersey City and Saint Catherine Healthcare Center in Caldwell. She loved helping people and being an advocate for those whose voices needed to be heard. Her great sense of humor helped her through these days as well as sometimes being mischievous and just delighting in speaking with people she met. She often had told of many stories about how she was speaking up for others. Sister felt very comfortable in this field, always cajoling others to have a good day!

Sister Joan was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Catherine, her brother Charles and his wife Margaret and her sister Carol Louise Spingler.

Sister is survived by her sister Mary Carol Galiszewski (Thomas) and her sister, Margaret "Peggy" Whitaker (Bob); many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated.