Obituary of Sister Anthony Marie Leary, CSJ

Sister Anthony Marie Leary, CSJ, 87, died Monday, May 28, 2018, at Samaritan Hospital, Troy, NY. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 66 years.

Sister Anthony Marie, the former Kathleen Amelia Leary, was born on October 23, 1930, in Rutland, VT, daughter of the late Edward and Ida Ravenna Leary. After graduating from Mt. St. Joseph’s Academy in Rutland, Sister Anthony received her x-ray technology training and certification in 1950 from the Albany Hospital School of X-Ray Technology. She accepted her first position as an x-ray technician at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson.

On March 19, 1952, Sister Anthony entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, and professed final vows on August 15, 1959. For nearly 50 years, she served at St. Mary’s Hospital (now St. Mary’s Healthcare), Amsterdam: 40 years as an x-ray technician and later as a clerk and receptionist. In 2002, Sister Anthony moved to St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Latham.

Sister Anthony was a humble, joy-filled woman of faith. In her service to God’s people at St. Mary’s and in her many friendships, she was blessed with an ability to see the goodness in others, to look beyond differences to acceptance and respect. Sister Anthony’s humility, centered in deep self-awareness and a desire for simplicity, manifested itself in her straightforward, level-headed, uncomplicated presence. Her joy led to her light-hearted sense of humor, her laughter and her smile. Even in her final illness, when Sister Anthony lost her ability to communicate as usual, she continued to bring delight to others. Sister Anthony leaves us a legacy of the fruits of a life centered on God and God’s redemptive love for all.

Sister Anthony is survived by her sister, Corinne Millard and family; by her cousins, Bernard and Joan Ravenna, and Lura (Robert) Correia; and by many friends, with special mention of Steven Dixon and family, and Elizabeth Smitka and family; and by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her cousin, Edward Leary, and her friend, Clifford Giddings; and her beloved friend, Sister Stephen Maria Dixon..

Sister Anthony’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 1, at 10:30 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Thursday, May 31, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Contributions in Sister Anthony’s memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110.

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