Sister Miriam Honora Corr, CSJ, passed away on April 28 in Stella Maris Convent, Rockaway, having been a Sister of St. Joseph for 74 years.
The daughter of Irish immigrants, Luke and Sara Corr, she grew up in Holy Cross Parish, Brooklyn, attending elementary school there, and high school at Bishop McDonnell Memorial H.S.
Prior to entering the Sisters of St. Joseph community in 1952, Sister Miriam completed her bachelor’s degree in child study from St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn. After her two-year novitiate, she was assigned to elementary schools: St. Ann’s, Brentwood; Blessed Sacrament, Brooklyn; and Holy Name of Mary, Valley Stream. A gifted educator, Sister Miriam continued her studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., receiving an M.A. in clinical psychology, and, in 1962, was awarded her Ph.D. in educational curriculum and psychology from Columbia University Teachers College in New York City.
For 10 years (1959-1969), Sister Miriam was an instructor of child psychology at St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn, returning to the college for four years (1978-1982), and again for 26 more (1990-2016), after which she retired.
Included among Sister Miriam’s responsibilities, her giftedness in spirituality was recognized by the leadership of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and she was called to be the director of novices (1969-1978), a ministry for which she was well-loved and remembered by her novices to this day. Eventually, she was selected as a regional superior (1982-1990).
Included among Sister Miriam’s additional responsibilities and achievements were as a member of the board of trustees of Brentwood College, an advocate for the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s marriage tribunal, a member of the CSJ vow and constitution committees, and awards for excellence in leadership/NYS Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
Sister Miriam Honora’s giftedness touched everyone in her family and in her life. Her Irish background was always evident, and she shared these roots, always with great joy and deep gratitude.
Her funeral, presided by Father Joseph Miller, was celebrated on May 5 at Sacred Heart Chapel, Brentwood, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.