Sister Veronica M. Greeley, O.P., a member of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville for 74 years, died on June 25. She was 92.

She was born on Feb. 12, 1928, in Woodhaven, Queens, and attended the parish school of St. Thomas the Apostle. Upon graduation, she attended Dominican Commercial High School in Jamaica, Queens.

On Sept. 8, 1946, she began in the Congregation as a postulant, followed a year later, on Aug. 4, 1947, with the reception of the Dominican habit and her religious name, Sister Marie Corde. On Aug. 7, 1948, she pronounced her vows and began her ministry in education and administration.

Sister Veronica’s first assignment was to the parish school of St. Joseph in Long Island City. After final vows on Aug. 7, 1951, she was transferred to assist in the opening of the parish school of Notre Dame, New Hyde Park, where she taught the elementary grades. Most of the remaining years of teaching were on the high school level beginning with her assignment to St. Michael High School, East New York. There she taught business subjects and English. Already possessing a B.A. from St. John’s University, Jamaica, Sister Veronica pursued a Master’s degree in English Literature at the College of St. Rose, Albany, NY. From 1965-1968 she taught at All Saints High School in Williamsburg.

In 1975, Bishop Francis J. Mugavero, fifth bishop of Brooklyn, invited her to become the Vicar for Religious Men and Women in the Diocese, the first woman in the history of the Diocese to hold this position.

Sister Veronica was Prioress of the Amityville Dominican Congregation, 1989-95. After a sabbatical year, she worked in the offices of the Diocese of Rockville Centre until 1998 and as a consultant until 2004.

Sister Veronica was a member on the Committee for Review of Sexual Abuse by the Clergy in the Brooklyn Diocese for many years. In June of 2009, she received the Papal honor of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross in recognition of her service to the People of God of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, a private funeral Mass was held in St. Albert’s Chapel in the Motherhouse in Amityville on June 29, followed by burial in the Sisters’ Cemetery.

Mr. Kevin Sweeney, brother of Father William F. Sweeney, a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn, who is presently ministering as Pastor of Saint Francis De Sales, Belle Harbor, died on July 24.

His funeral Mass was held on July 28 at St. Joseph’s Parish, Kings Park, N.Y. Burial was in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Reverend William F. Sweeney, Saint Francis De Sales R.C. Church, 129-16 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Belle Harbor, NY 11694.

Ms. Lidia Escobar, sister of Deacon Nery R. Escobar, a permanent deacon assigned to the Parish of Ss. Joachim & Anne, Queens Village, died July 9 in Guatemala, where all arrangements have taken place.

If you wish to send condolences, please mail to Deacon Nery R. Escobar, 104-12 Francis Lewis Blvd, Queens Village, NY 11429.