Sr. Mary McGuinness, OP Obituary (1933

Sister Mary McGuinness, OP (formerly Sister Mary Noel), a Sister of St. Dominic of Caldwell for 67 years, entered into eternal life on January 8, 2022 at the age of 88 at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ. On Wednesday, January 12, a wake and Mass will be held at Saint Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The wake will be from 9:15 to 10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Natural burial services will follow the Mass at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. A face mask is required for all services. Sister Mary was a prayerful and compassionate woman who credited her parents, Richard and Mary (Crean) for fostering her deep and abiding faith. Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Dominic on August 15, 1954, received the Dominican habit on June 30, 1955, made first profession on July 2, 1956 and final profession on July 2, 1962. Sister is a graduate of Mt. St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, and earned her BA in Social Studies and English from Caldwell University (then Caldwell College), an MS in Library Science from Villanova University, Villanova, PA and an MA in Theology/Scripture from St. John University, Collegeville, MN. She also pursued the study of Sociology at Seton Hall University, South Orange and Religious Studies at Fordham University, NYC. Sister Mary was a dedicated and creative educator at St. Mary's, Rahway, St. John the Baptist, Jersey City, Holy Spirit, Asbury Park, St. Peter the Apostle, Parsippany, Sacred Heart, Dover, Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair, Mt. St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, St. Philip the Apostle, Clifton, St. Margaret's, Bayou La Batre, AL, and St. Cassian's, Upper Montclair. Sister was also a gifted writer, editor and presenter. She served as the coordinator of the Resource Department of RENEW International, Plainfield and staff person to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. A published author and poet, Sister Mary shared her reflections on small Christian communities and hope for the 21st century. Sister served in congregational ministries at St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center and as Director of Scholastics. She was a member of the Boards of Trustees of Genesis Farm and the North American Forums for Small Christian Communities. With a gentle spirit, a love for life and someone who saw goodness in everyone, Sister Mary brought the message of God's never-ending love to all who came to know her. Sister Mary is predeceased by her parents, Richard M. and Mary M. (Crean) McGuinness; her brothers, Msgr. Richard M. McGuinness and Robert A. McGuinness and his wife, Evelyn McGuinness; her sister-in-law, Amor McGuinness; her niece, Mary Beth Oria; and her nephew, Scott Taylor. She is survived by her brother, Thomas A. McGuinness; many nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; and her loving Sisters of St. Dominic. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated. Condolences may be left at proutfuneralhome.com.