Obituaries

Sister Joyce Hummel, O.P.

January 16, 2019
Sister Joyce

Sister Joyce Hummel, O.P., a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic for 62 years, died Jan. 9.  She was 80.

Born in Hempstead, L.I., she grew up in Farmingdale. She attended Queen of the Rosary Academy in Amityville, where she met the Dominican Sisters.

She entered the Dominicans’ Novitiate in 1957 and one year later she received the habit and her religious name Sister M. St. Augustine.

She taught in the parish elementary school of St. Agnes, Rockville Centre, where she remained until 1971. She then taught at St. Joseph Patron, Bushwick; and Most Holy Trinity, Williamsburg, from 1972 until 1977 when she was transferred to Notre Dame, New Hyde Park, remaining there until 1987.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree at Molloy College, Rockville Centre, she taught at St. Boniface, Elmont, L.I., 1988-98.

From 1998 to 1999, she was at the Genesis Farm in Blairstown, N.J., as a student and received professional updating.

Returning to St. Boniface parish in June, 1999, she worked as a social worker with the Gateway Youth Outreach program in Elmont. She also became a member of the Dominican Sisters’ Homecoming Ministry, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of, and love for, the earth. She accompanied Sister Jeanne Clark to elementary schools to speak about the earth’s importance and the need for human responsibility.

As a staff member of homecoming during several summers, she invited classes to visit the organic farm on the Motherhouse property.

In 2008, she retired to the convent of St. Catherine of Sienna parish in Franklin Square. She became part of a parish prayer group, volunteered when needed and retained her interest and care for the Homecoming Program.

In 2014, she joined the community of Sisters living on Ward St., West Islip, located in Our Lady of Lourdes. She joined the parish’s Sage group that was a prayer group of elders, and brought Holy Communion to the homebound.

She is survived by her sister Lorraine Hoyt of North Carolina, and by her brother George.

Burial was in the Sisters’ cemetery in Amityville.

3 thoughts on “Sister Joyce Hummel, O.P.”

  1. So very sad to hear of the passing of Sister Joyce. I had the privilege of being her student at Notre Dame. To this day, I still know the bones of the body/ States and capitals. She was energetic, compassionate and a strong educator. As a teacher I appreciate that and as a former student I thank her for her inspiration.

  2. So very sad to hear of the passing of Sister Joyce. I had the privilege of being her student at Notre Dame. To this day, I still know the bones of the body/ States and capitals. She was energetic, compassionate and a strong educator. As a teacher, I appreciate that and as a former student I thank her for her inspiration.

  3. I was a student of sister Joyce when I was in 8th grade in 1996. I have never forgotten sister Joyce’s passion for teaching us about science and her dedication to Christ. I am now 37, and so sad to hear about her passing. Sister Joyce thank you for touching my life as a young boy.